Health researchers: Bloomberg’s sugary drink ban will fail
Who thinks New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s nanny-state ban on (some) large sugary drinks not only won’t work, but will backfire? The very researchers whose work Bloomberg cited as justification for proposing the ban. From The Atlantic:
Yes, we have found that when people are given larger portions, they do drink or eat substantially more. But to claim that these results imply that the ban will be effective is to ignore our larger body of work. In our experiments, subjects were given larger or smaller portions of food in a dining or party setting, where they were unlikely to notice portion size. It is exactly because participants weren’t paying attention that we got the results we did.
The mayor’s approach, however, overtly denies people portions they are used to be able to get whenever they want them. In similar lab settings, this kind of approach has inspired various forms of rebellion among study participants. For example, openly serving someone lowfat or reduced-calorie meals tends to lead to increased fat or calorie consumption over the whole day. People reason that because they were forced to be good for one meal, they can splurge on snacks and desserts at later meals.
The researchers, Prof. Brian Wansink and David Just of Cornell University, note the danger of taking a (pardon the pun) ham-fisted approach to health policy is that it will discourage future attempts to promote good health. And they leave no doubt that Bloomberg’s approach will fail:
150 years of research in food economics tells us that people get what they want. Someone who buys a 32-ounce soft drink wants a 32-ounce soft drink. He or she will go to a place that offers fountain refills, or buy two. If the people who want them don’t have much money, they might cut back on fruits or vegetables or a bit of their family meal budget.
Who buys large soft drinks? It’s not just the people who may have some disregard for their weight. It may also be the construction worker who buys a single drink and nurses it all day. It may be the family of three who decides to split a single drink to save money.
They also point out that Bloomberg might have been more successful had he created incentives for beverage companies to promote their lower-calorie products — and that he expressly rejected such an approach.
It seems to me the researchers’ explanations strike at the heart of the reason we can’t legislate good habits without resorting to Draconian measures (in this case, for example, a total ban on sugary drinks — although even that would fail if the ban didn’t extend well beyond New York City’s borders). And, of course, unintended consequences that could end up being worse than the intended ones.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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228 comments Add your comment
The Fresh Prince of Bill Ayers
June 18th, 2012
6:16 pm
You cons are okay with peeing in a cup and happily handing it to government so you should be okay with this.
Aww wittle getaclue don’t like peein in a cup? Ohh, what’s the matter..having a hard time finding an employer??
dabir dalton
June 18th, 2012
6:23 pm
Once again Kyle paints the kettle black by ignoring the nanny state conservatives have built with their failed war on drugs – a war that has damaged and limited our freedoms while conservatives have tried without success to enforce by law their views on what we may or may not ingest.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
June 18th, 2012
6:24 pm
Hillbilly D
Do you drink that branch water straight or add some flavoring, aka corn squeezings?
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
June 18th, 2012
6:38 pm
dabir
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/obamas-drug-czar-stumps-for-third-way-policy/
If you read the article, the drug legalization crowd are not real happy with this guy either. Obama’s drug czar is against legalizing marijuana, whoda thunk it? I guess Oblamer is a conservative, since he has a drug czar and continues the war on drugs.
BTW, this is one conservative who doesn’t care what you take or how you live your life or give up your life, just don’t endanger or impoverish your family nor your friends and expect the taxpayers to pick up your obligations.
md
June 18th, 2012
6:41 pm
“You cons are okay with peeing in a cup and happily handing it to government so you should be okay with this.”
Yep…….if it is required to keep a job where the income is taxed, it’s only logical that to be a beneficiary of that same tax one also be tested……..
md
June 18th, 2012
6:43 pm
“BTW, this is one conservative who doesn’t care what you take or how you live your life or give up your life, just don’t endanger or impoverish your family nor your friends and expect the taxpayers to pick up your obligations.”
And there in lies the difference……I also have no problem with choices…..if one wants to screw up their lives with drugs, by all means do so…..just don’t go running to others when the crap hits the fan.
Hillbilly D
June 18th, 2012
6:44 pm
Rafe
That died out 40 years ago. Most folks are too lazy now; they can just drive to the store.
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 18th, 2012
6:46 pm
dabir dalton, what you are engaging in is called a deflection.
I suggest you either make an argument against Kyle’s in support of Bloomberg’s, or not. However, pointing out something completely unrelated to the subject merely shows us you have no argument against Kyle’s, or are too embarrassed to voice your support for Bloomberg’s.
Bruno
June 18th, 2012
7:10 pm
For Hillbilly Deluxe. We still miss you over at Bookman’s Blog. All the best to you. In case you didn’t hear, I may be getting married next year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw1bHaUk1CM
Bruno
June 18th, 2012
7:12 pm
md–Miss you too. Keep up the good work trying to make sense to the Libs.
Bruno
June 18th, 2012
7:16 pm
Always better to look forward, but hard not to look back sometimes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdZbNSHy_NA&feature=related
Thulsa Doom
June 18th, 2012
7:22 pm
Bruno,
I’m over here a lot more myself. Not for the faint of heart liberal. Libs take some pretty good beatings over here.
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 18th, 2012
7:25 pm
We regularly beat up on AmVet and send him back to you guys a broken man.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward - Again)
June 18th, 2012
7:27 pm
dabir dalton: Once again Kyle paints the kettle black by ignoring the nanny state conservatives have built with their failed war on drugs
————-
News flash–conservatives haven’t been running the executive branch going on four years now. If you have a problem with the failed war on drugs, you might take it up with the folks prosecuting it–Obozo and Holder.
Bruno
June 18th, 2012
7:39 pm
We regularly beat up on AmVet and send him back to you guys a broken man.
I think JamMan remains unbroken, DR.
You ought to come back by on Bookman’s once in a while. I doubt if you are banned forever. If so, I’ll try to pull a few strings for you and get you reinstated. I think Jay kind of likes me even though I give him heck.
I’m really pissed that Jay banned moonbat betty, though.
Liz
June 18th, 2012
7:40 pm
Dusty,
You don’t know me, and the conclusions you reached about me are totally incorrect. As a free women, I don’t want any regulations in the way of my very personal decisions. And,I certainly don’t want to be subjected to any regulation that keeps me from exercising my legal rights, for purpose of harassing or trying to control me. A Nanny government, whether it leans to the right or left, is wrong. Don’t assume I an a Democrat, because you would be wrong. Don’t assume I am Republican, just because I think Bloomberg is wrong thinking (on guns,soda, …). I have been an campaign insider for Democrats and Republicans. I am an old independent women, who has fiercely fought for hard earned rights (still at it). I was educated at a very conservative college in this country. Blessed to have been born and raised in this country. You are probably standing on my shoulders, and those of my peers. I hope you do the same for those coming behind you. Here is a tip: Insults and name calling are not necessary, and will turn people off to your messaging. A respected women is more likely to be heard. Good luck.
Bruno
June 18th, 2012
7:42 pm
I’m over here a lot more myself. Not for the faint of heart liberal. Libs take some pretty good beatings over here.
I’d spend a little more time here myself, TD, since Kyle’s quality of writing deserves an audience. However, I hate preaching to the choir. Much more fun to argue with the unenlightened.
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 18th, 2012
7:43 pm
LBB, the war on drugs was lost years ago through both Republican and Democrat administrations.
It is one of the only truly bi-partisan efforts in American politics, and proves that the policy is a lost cause no matter who is in charge.
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 18th, 2012
7:47 pm
Bruno, AmVet may spout his nonsense unmolested over there, but he gets hammered over here. And thanks for the offer, but I’m very comfortable over here. Kyle is refreshingly honest – something lacking in the host over there – and I prefer his informed insight to the mess that is generated over there.
And don;t worry about preaching to the choir over here. What we lack in nonsensical liberal quantity, we make up for in quality with folks like MarkV, JDW and Finn McCool, to name a few.
saywhat?
June 18th, 2012
7:54 pm
Dusty
June 18th, 2012
5:13 pm
“Liz,
I don’t know what country you live in but I am an American woman and I have lost none of my freedom or my liberty. In fact, I find no hinderances to the choices I want to make about my personal life.
Too bad that you do not find such freedom and keep “sounding off” with what sounds like the motto of an organiation, not your own study of such things. Referring to a woman’s anatomy in the midst of a discussion on sugary drinks seems more like the proverbial brainwashing .
I hope you learn to think for yourself instead of being a follower. Independent women do think for themselves.”
______________________________________________________________
So I guess Dusty was lying all the times she accused Obama of taking away her freedoms. Big surprise.
Hillbilly D
June 18th, 2012
8:14 pm
I wonder what in the world Moonbat Betty did to bring down a Fatwa on her head.
Josef probably won’t see this but I believe he’d get a kick out of it, if he does.
http://www.donalsonvillenews.com/archives/1265-Swamp-People-speaks-my-language.html
Hillbilly D
June 18th, 2012
8:23 pm
Just saw Bruno’s comment. Congrats to you if your might be turns into a is gonna be.
ragnar danneskjold
June 18th, 2012
9:09 pm
The Nanny Staters always fail at everything they do. That does not mean they do not inflict misery on the normal people.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
June 18th, 2012
9:11 pm
So maybe we got the whole soda ban thing misunderestimated-
Bloomberg Overheard Saying Romney Would Be Better at Running Country than Obama…
This guy’s smarter than he seems.
AmVet
June 18th, 2012
9:23 pm
We regularly beat up on AmVet and send him back to you guys a broken man.
We?
Yep and the sun revolves around the earth.
Though I do like how the oft-banished one with the uncivil mouth has placed himself in some sort of demented potion of authority here. Apparently with unspecified numbers of minions.
Too funny…
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 18th, 2012
9:27 pm
Come back after leaning how to count, AmVet?
Or are you still limited to 20 1/2 digits you possess?
Maybe now you can tell us how 97,000 Florida votes for Ralph Nader didn’t cost Gore the Florida election won by Bush by less than 1,000 votes.
md
June 18th, 2012
9:28 pm
Do I need to post the “simplistic tripe” chart again Am or did you get it last time??
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
June 18th, 2012
9:37 pm
Hillbilly
I thought the shine business was passe also, until I got hooked on that Moonshiners reality show on I believe it was Discovery channel last year. Obviously, it was staged as the moonshiner never got caught, even though he was a county fireman and his picture was on TV every episode. Apparently, if there is any truth to the show, the State of VA still has revenue men and they still chase shiners. They were flashing weapons, wearing night vision goggles, and arresting people. I learned a lot about how it was made and sold and found it interesting. Apparently there are some folks that have a taste for it and will pay a premium for shine vs driving to the store.
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 18th, 2012
9:50 pm
md, simplistic tripe is still too advanced for AmVet.
Bring it down to moronic tripe and he might have a chance to understand it.
Love me some Reagan
June 18th, 2012
9:51 pm
Rafe
“Rumor” has it that it can “still” be found in North Ga and in North Carolina………….. At least that is what I have been told
Hillbilly D
June 18th, 2012
9:51 pm
Rafe
I don’t know about VA but it’s long dead here. I watched that show you’re talking about once and there’s a lot of things in it that I find laughable. The last case I know made around here was several years ago and the guy wasn’t even selling it just making a little for himself, mainly a nostalgia thing. There are a few places now that are making it legally. Not sure how much success they are having, so far.
Hillbilly D
June 18th, 2012
9:52 pm
“Rumor” has it that it can “still” be found in North Ga
Let’s just say if I found any, I’d be afraid to drink it. Anybody I would’ve trusted died a long time ago.
@@
June 18th, 2012
9:52 pm
It won’t be Bloomberg doing the heavy lifting, will it?
schnirt
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward--Again)
June 18th, 2012
9:53 pm
Coupla nice at bats there, Braves.
Love me some Reagan
June 18th, 2012
9:55 pm
Hillbilly
I hear it is pretty good……… Have to know the right people, which was always the case, but as you say, you better know them well………
They say the muscadine shine is pretty tasty. Peach isn’t bad but they say the muscadine is oh so smooth
Tundra Dude
June 18th, 2012
9:58 pm
The Nanny Staters always fail at everything they do.
Lots of fellow cons would disagree.
The Conservative Nanny State: How the Wealthy Use the Government to Stay Rich and Get Richer
http://bit.ly/qld7YN
Hillbilly D
June 18th, 2012
9:59 pm
Reagan
You talking about muscadine wine? I’ve never heard of anybody making liquor out of it (not saying that nobody has). I had some relatives that were well known for their peach brandy.
None of it should burn you, though. My Grandpa always said if you couldn’t drink corn liquor like water, you need to pour it out ’cause it ain’t worth a damn. He was an old timer, though, he didn’t believe in sugar liquor.
@@
June 18th, 2012
10:04 pm
Men are wearing their Moonshine nowadays.
Smells like gin and leather!!??!! Gin smells like pine to me…so make that pine and leather.
erp
Love me some Reagan
June 18th, 2012
10:04 pm
Hillbilly
The muscadine is shine. Yes there is the wine, but there is a shine as well. I ‘heard” about it last fall when I went to a wedding.
The peach “flavor” of course is just a peach in the corn liquor.
md
June 18th, 2012
10:06 pm
“Coupla nice at bats there, Braves.”
Did you mean “coupla nice bats”?…..they must be nice and new since they apparently aren’t getting used much.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
June 18th, 2012
10:12 pm
The guy on the show made shine out of bananas, never knew that possible, so I guess muscadines would work also.
Hillbilly D
June 18th, 2012
10:32 pm
Rafe
You can make liquor out of anything that has sugar in it. Of course, I never would’ve thought of bananas, either. But then I never could understand Elvis and his fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Maybe it was a regional thing.
Question Man
June 18th, 2012
11:33 pm
Kyle: Are you saying that because Bloomberg’s chosen legislative remedy is ineffective, all legislative efforts in this area are doomed to be equally ineffective?
JohnnyReb
June 19th, 2012
7:22 am
Bloomberg is an idiot of the highest order. I object to his existence.
stands for decibels
June 19th, 2012
7:35 am
Bloomberg is an idiot of the highest order
I believe this is where I’m supposed to point out how he’s totally a genius because he’s made all that money. For my follow-up, I’m to ask you why you’re so jealous of Bloomberg. Then I’ll ask why you hate our freedoms.
(Not that I think the comments pages here get formulaic or anything.)
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
June 19th, 2012
7:36 am
Effective or not, such decrees diminish individual freedom.
Mind your own business, liberal fascists.
stands for decibels
June 19th, 2012
7:42 am
such decrees diminish individual freedom.
You appear to be already on record in this very thread as being a-ok with diminishing individual freedom, so long as the individual doesn’t happen to be you.
Now with Ten Percent Fewer Calories
June 19th, 2012
7:44 am
Implementation of a health insurance mandate would necessarily lead to the imposition of increased regulation on the profitable sindustries, alcohol, sugar and tobacco, amongst others, in the U.S. over time in order to reduce runaway health insurance premiums and that will never be allowed by the monied promoters of all things most profitable.
Dip your candy cigarette in that and smoke it.
How Inciteful Is That!
June 19th, 2012
7:48 am
I come here for the thought-provoking blogger commentaries too.
I think I made a funny.
nelson
June 19th, 2012
7:54 am
Yes, indeed, nanny-statism is driving politics in N.Y. Now, Chuck Schumer[d-senator in congress] wants greek yougurt in the schools. I like it myself, however it is a decision that should be left to the individual.
Having said all of the above, it could help Greece with their debt crisis, increase their exports to the U.S., bring capital into their country.
Greece is one country I do not know much about. Learning self reliance and thinking for onesself is not facilitated by nanny-statism. Rugged individualism, return to the puposefullness of the lone star state.