Rising temperatures increase added sugar intake disproportionately in disadvantaged groups in the USA

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Paper Summary

Conflicts of Interest

Identified Weaknesses

Rating Explanation

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Paper Summary

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Hotter Weather Makes People Reach for Sugary Drinks (Especially if They're Poor)

This study, using US household purchase data from 2004-2019, found that added sugar consumption, especially from sugary drinks and frozen desserts, rises with temperature, particularly between 12-30°C. Lower-income and less-educated households are more affected, and projections suggest this trend will worsen with climate change, increasing health risks for vulnerable groups.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

None identified

Identified Weaknesses

Purchase data, not actual intake

The study uses supermarket scanner data, which reflects purchases, not necessarily what individuals consume. Storage, waste, and sharing within households aren't captured.

Limited price data

While the study controls for price, the limited variability of prices and potential discounts/promotions in the dataset could mask a stronger price effect on sugary drink consumption.

Alaska and Hawaii excluded

The study excludes Alaska and Hawaii, which have different climates and demographics than the rest of the USA, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

Restaurant and non-purchase data excluded

The study only looks at retail purchases and doesn't account for added sugar consumed in restaurants or through food obtained by other means (gifts, home gardens), potentially underestimating overall consumption.

Aggregated data

Using monthly averages may obscure the impacts of extreme heat events on added sugar consumption. Daily or even hourly data would provide more granular insights.

Rating Explanation

This study addresses a relevant topic with substantial societal implications using a large, nationally representative dataset and robust methodology. While the data limitations prevent direct measurement of individual intake and some other factors, the overall findings are compelling and provide valuable insights into the interplay between climate, socioeconomic factors, and dietary habits. The projections highlight a potential future public health issue that deserves attention and further research.

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