Abstract
This article highlights characteristics of two related yet distinct economic approaches
to addressing the current obesity epidemic in the United States: the general taxation
of soft drinks, snack foods, and/or fast foods, and the application of pricing incentives/disincentives
on foods sold in schools and worksites. The article specifically focuses on the: (1)
rationale for, (2) potential barriers and limitations to, and (3) possible unintended
consequences of implementing these policy interventions at the state level. Novel
empirical evidence showing strong positive associations between the presence of state-level
taxation on soft drinks or snack foods between 1991 and 1998 and relative changes
in obesity prevalence over the same time period is further presented. The article
concludes by summarizing the similarities and dissimilarities of the two approaches,
and by emphasizing some of the gaps and priorities regarding these strategies that
should be addressed in future research and policies to best effect obesity prevention.
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