Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Communities and States are increasingly targeting the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs), especially soda, in their efforts to curb childhood obesity. However, the empirical evidence based on which policy makers design the relevant policies is not causally interpretable. In the present study, we suggest a modeling framework that can be used for making causal estimation and inference in the context of childhood obesity. This modeling framework is built upon the two-stage residual inclusion (2SRI) instrumental variables method and have two levels – level one models children’s lifestyle choices and level two models children’s energy balance which is assumed to be dependent on their lifestyle behaviors. We start with a simplified version of the model that includes only one policy, one lifestyle, one energy balance, and one observable control variable. We then extend this simple version to be a general one that accommodates multiple policy and lifestyle variables. The two versions of the model are 1) first estimated via the nonlinear least square (NLS) method (henceforth NLS-based 2SRI); and 2) then estimated via the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method (henceforth MLE-based 2SRI). Using simulated data, we show that 1) our proposed 2SRI method outperforms the conventional method that ignores the inherent nonlinearity [the linear instrumental variables (LIV) method] or the potential endogeneity [the nonlinear regression (NR) method] in obtaining the relevant estimators; and 2) the MLE-based 2SRI provides more efficient estimators (also consistent) compared to the NLS-based one. Real data analysis is conducted to illustrate the implementation of 2SRI method in practice using both NLS and MLE methods. However, due to data limitation, we are not able to draw any inference regarding the impacts of lifestyle, specifically SSB consumption, on childhood obesity. We are in the process of getting better data and, after doing so, we will replicate and extend the analyses conducted here. These analyses, we believe, will produce causally interpretable evidence of the effects of SSB consumption and other lifestyle choices on childhood obesity. The empirical analyses presented in this dissertation should, therefore, be viewed as an illustration of our newly proposed framework for causal estimation and inference.

The purpose of this study was to explore awareness and opinions about sugar-sweetened beverage policy—specifically pouring rights contracts—on a university campus. Participants were 915 students, staff, and faculty currently studying or under employment at the University of Iowa. Participants completed an online survey. Nearly two-thirds (64.2%) of participants reported not being aware of pouring rights prior to completing the survey. Over one-third (38.0%) of participants reported they agreed with universities engaging in pouring rights contracts, while 30.9% of participants neither agreed or disagreed, and 31.0% disagreed with universities engaging in pouring rights contracts. Respondents who identified as male, undergraduate students, and those who agreed that individuals are responsible for their own sugar-sweetened beverage consumption were more likely to support engaging in pouring rights contracts. Understanding awareness, support, and determinants of support for pouring rights contracts is important for those involved in establishing policies targeting sugar-sweetened beverage availability on college campuses.

No description available.

The overconsumption of added sugars leads to negative effects on health such as an increased risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. With approximately 50% of added sugars in the American diet being attributed to sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake, non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are recommended as potential replacements. The purpose of this secondary analysis of Talking Health, a 6-month SSB reduction intervention, was to explore 1) changes in NNS consumption patterns between SIPsmartER (n=101) and MoveMore (n=97) interventions, and 2) differences in demographics between three groups of various SSB-NNS consumption change patterns (Group 1: decreased SSB, increased NNS; Group 2: decreased SSB, no change in NNS; Group 3: increased SSB, regardless of NNS). Results showed that the SIPsmartER intervention significantly created more new NNS users than MoveMore after the 6 month intervention. There were significant between group over time differences for intake of aspartame, sucralose, and total NNS, with intake increasing for SIPsmartER participants as compared to MoveMore. However, when exploring demographics between the three SSB-NNS consumption change groups, no differences were found between those who successfully decreased SSB while increasing NNS and the other groups. While diet beverages were the most commonly consumed dietary source of NNS across groups over time, other sources such as tabletop sweeteners, yogurt, and meal replacement products contributed to total NNS intake. Future research is needed to identify those who would benefit most from using NNS as a tool to decrease SSB intake. This will help inform future interventions and provide appropriate strategies to decrease added sugars intake. / Master of Science / The overconsumption of added sugars leads to negative effects on health such as an increased risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. With approximately 50% of added sugars in the American diet being attributed to sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake, non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are recommended as potential replacements. The purpose of this secondary analysis of Talking Health, a 6-month SSB reduction intervention, was to explore 1) changes in NNS consumption patterns between SIPsmartER (n=101) and MoveMore (n=97) interventions, and 2) differences in demographics between three groups of various SSB-NNS consumption change patterns (Group 1: decreased SSB, increased NNS; Group 2: decreased SSB, no change in NNS; Group 3: increased SSB, regardless of NNS). Results showed that the SIPsmartER intervention significantly created more new NNS users than MoveMore after the 6 month intervention. There were significant between group over time differences for intake of aspartame, sucralose, and total NNS, with intake increasing for SIPsmartER participants as compared to MoveMore. However, when exploring demographics between the three SSB-NNS consumption change groups, no differences were found between those who successfully decreased SSB while increasing NNS and the other groups. While diet beverages were the most commonly consumed dietary source of NNS across groups over time, other sources such as tabletop sweeteners, yogurt, and meal replacement products contributed to total NNS intake. Future research is needed to identify those who would benefit most from using NNS as a tool to decrease SSB intake. This will help inform future interventions and provide appropriate strategies to decrease added sugars intake.

The number of overweight adults has risen to two-thirds of the population, thus increases in energy intake, particularly from beverages are of great concern. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake has increased by 222 calories in recent decades, which contributes a significant source of added sugars to the American diet. It has been reported that water consumers have a lower overall energy intake (~194 kcals) as compared to non-consumers of water therefore substituting water for SSBs may facilitate weight loss and weight management. Evidence also indicates that diet quality follows a socioeconomic gradient, and that the environment has a powerful influence on beverage consumption. Thus, modifying the food environment could be a promising strategy for promoting healthier beverage consumption behavior. A large portion of the US population spends their day at a worksite making the worksite a viable setting for implementing environmental approaches to promote effective behavior change. At this time, it is unclear if a reduction of SSB intake would be a viable dietary weight management intervention strategy. Therefore, our purpose was to determine if water, SSB intake, SSB energy, total beverage intake, and total beverage energy varies with individual and environmental factors among overweight and obese employees from 28 worksites involved in a randomized controlled weight management trial. These findings may contribute to the development of tailored weight management programs aimed to improve beverage consumption patterns. / Master of Science

Introduction: Weight problems not only affect adults, but youth as well. Excessive sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is suggested to be a contributor to youth overweight and obesity and other cardiometabolic risk factors. Parents, although probably not readily admitted by adolescents, are known to influence youth's dietary beliefs and practices. Using theoretical models, like the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) that accounts for intention, attitudes, norms, and perceptions of control, to develop interventions can be more effective in changing health-risk behaviors versus those not grounded in theory. Methods: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis on how the TPB has been applied to youth's diet-related behaviors was conducted. Subsequently, a mixed methods investigation of adolescents' (n=100) and parents' (n=66) SSB consumption and exploratory analysis of parents' responses to adolescents' beverage choices was carried out. Results: From 34 articles, attitude was identified as having the strongest relationship with behavioral intention (mean r=0.52), and intention as the most common predictor of youth's diet-related behavior (mean r=0.38, both p<0.001). However, in the mixed methods analysis adolescents' subjective norm was the strongest predictor of intention to limit sugary beverage consumption to less than one cup per day (b=0.57, p=0.001). Intention was the strongest predictor of SSB intake in parents and adolescents (b=-47, p=0.01; b=-37, p≤0.05). The TPB explained more variance in parents' SSB consumption than adolescents' (R²=0.22 versus R²=0.38, both p≤0.001, respectively). At lower levels of intention to limit SSB consumption and higher levels of parental encouragement to consume SSBs, adolescents' predicted SSB intake was highest (p=0.059) suggesting that some adolescents may be influenced by their parent's reactions to their sugary beverage choices while others may not. Conclusions: Intention appears to be a strong construct influencing adolescents' diet-related behaviors, specifically SSB consumption, and this intention may be influenced by parents and other social factors. Future work can tap into adolescents' peer network and role models or authority figures to identify how these groups and individuals influence and moderate the intention to limit sugary beverage consumption. / Ph. D.

O objetivo desta tese é analisar a influência do preço dos alimentos sobre o crescimento da obesidade no Brasil e avaliar os efeitos de uma política baseada no preço como instrumento de prevenção da obesidade. Essas questões foram analisadas em três ensaios que utilizam da estrutura econômica, baseada no princípio de racionalidade econômica, para compreender as escolhas individuais quanto à ingestão e gasto calóricos e a dinâmica do ganho de peso dos brasileiros. O ensaio 1 identifica as principais mudanças no índice de massa corporal (IMC) dos brasileiros e estima a contribuição dos preços dos alimentos a partir dos métodos de distribuição relativa e de decomposição contrafactual. Verificou-se que, concomitante ao aumento da obesidade, um deslocamento para a direita da distribuição do IMC revelando: a) uma maior densidade de indivíduos nas regiões de sobrepeso e obesidade; e b) um aumento do IMC mediano uma maior dispersão em torno deste. Os resultados indicaram que o aumento de preço observado entre 2002 e 2009 foi importante para conter o avanço da obesidade. Contudo, o efeito dessa variação (efeito nível) foi inferior àquele verificado para a mudança do impacto dos alimentos sobre o IMC (efeito estrutura). Os preços de alimentos como refrigerantes, carne e leite integral mostraram-se bastante significativos. Por outro lado, a renda e os anos de estudo contribuíram positivamente para o aumento do IMC no período analisado. Considerando os efeitos obtidos para o preço de refrigerantes sobre o IMC, bem como sua associação positiva do consumo desta bebida com obesidade, os ensaios 2 e 3 avaliaram os efeitos individuais e agregados, respectivamente, da adoção uma política de saúde baseada no aumento de impostos sobre bebidas açucaradas. No ensaio 2, adotou-se o modelo de duas partes para estimar as elasticidades preço demanda, as quais indicaram que o aumento do preço de bebidas açucaradas (refrigerantes e sucos) reduz o consumo, especialmente dos grupos que mais consomem destas bebidas. O resultado sobre o peso apresentou magnitude modesta, porém esta medida mostrou-se relevante na prevenção da obesidade, dado que maiores perdas de peso foram observadas na faixa próxima ao IMC correspondente à obesidade. Os efeitos em termos agregados foram simulados a partir do modelo de preços derivado da matriz de insumo produto, e os resultados mostram que uma política tributária sobre refrigerantes tende a gerar poucos efeitos adversos para a economia, com redução da produção do referido setor e daqueles diretamente inter-relacionados sendo compensada pelo aumento na produção de outros setores. O mesmo foi observado para o emprego, que apresentou variação positiva. No que se refere ao consumo, dado que em termos individuais o aumento tributário de 10% contribui para reduzir o consumo em 6,1%, a despesa de consumo agregado das famílias sofreria redução de 2,1%, com maior redução verificada na faixa de renda intermediária. Diante disso, conclui-se que a redução no preço dos alimentos mais calóricos observada nos últimos anos teve impacto sobre o peso dos brasileiros, e portanto, poderia ser levada em consideração na estruturação de políticas públicas para o combate à obesidade. / The objective of this thesis is to analyze the influence of the price of food on the growth of obesity in Brazil and to assess the effects of a policy based on price as a prevention instrument against obesity. These issues were analyzed in three essays that make use of the economic structure, based on the principle of economic rationality, in order to understand individual choices about calorie intake and expenditure and the dynamics of weight gain of Brazilians. Essay 1 identifies the main changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) of Brazilians and estimates the contribution of food prices from the relative distribution method and of counterfactual decomposition. It was verified that, concomitant to the increase in obesity, there is a shift towards the right of the BMI distribution revealing: a) a greater density of individuals in the regions of overweight and obesity; and b) an increase of the medium BMI a major dispersion around this. The results indicated that the price increases observed between 2002 and 2009 were important to contain the advance of obesity. However, the effect of that variation (level effect) was lower than that observed for the change of the impact of food on BMI (structure effect). The prices of foods such as soft drinks, meat and whole milk showed to be quite significant. On the other hand, income and years of study contributed positively for the increase of the BMI in the analyzed period. Considering the effect obtained for the price of soft drinks on BMI, as well as the positive association of consumption of this type of beverage with obesity, essays 2 and 3 evaluated the individual and aggregate effects, respectively, of the adoption of a health policy based on the increase of taxes on sugary drinks. In essay 2, the two part model was adopted in order to estimate the price-demand elasticity, which indicated that the price increase of sugary drinks (soft drinks and juices) reduce the consumption, especially of the groups that most consume these beverages. The result on weight presented a modest magnitude; however this measure showed to be relevant in the prevention of obesity, since the greater weight losses were observed in the group nearest to the BMI corresponding to obesity. The effects in aggregate terms were simulated parting from the price model derived from the product input matrix, and the results show that a tax policy on soft drinks tends to generate few adverse effects for the economy, with a production reduction of that sector and those directly interrelated being offset by increased production in other sectors. The same was observed for employment, which presented a positive variation. Regarding consumption, since in individual terms the 10% tributary increase contributed to reduce consumption in 6,1%, the aggregate consumption expenditure of households would suffer a reduction of 2.1%, with greater reductions observed in the middle-income range. Therefore, it is concluded that the reduction in the price of high-calorie foods observed in recent years has had an impact on the weight of Brazilians, and therefore, could be taken into account in the structuring of public policies for the fight against obesity.

O objetivo desta tese é analisar a influência do preço dos alimentos sobre o crescimento da obesidade no Brasil e avaliar os efeitos de uma política baseada no preço como instrumento de prevenção da obesidade. Essas questões foram analisadas em três ensaios que utilizam da estrutura econômica, baseada no princípio de racionalidade econômica, para compreender as escolhas individuais quanto à ingestão e gasto calóricos e a dinâmica do ganho de peso dos brasileiros. O ensaio 1 identifica as principais mudanças no índice de massa corporal (IMC) dos brasileiros e estima a contribuição dos preços dos alimentos a partir dos métodos de distribuição relativa e de decomposição contrafactual. Verificou-se que, concomitante ao aumento da obesidade, um deslocamento para a direita da distribuição do IMC revelando: a) uma maior densidade de indivíduos nas regiões de sobrepeso e obesidade; e b) um aumento do IMC mediano uma maior dispersão em torno deste. Os resultados indicaram que o aumento de preço observado entre 2002 e 2009 foi importante para conter o avanço da obesidade. Contudo, o efeito dessa variação (efeito nível) foi inferior àquele verificado para a mudança do impacto dos alimentos sobre o IMC (efeito estrutura). Os preços de alimentos como refrigerantes, carne e leite integral mostraram-se bastante significativos. Por outro lado, a renda e os anos de estudo contribuíram positivamente para o aumento do IMC no período analisado. Considerando os efeitos obtidos para o preço de refrigerantes sobre o IMC, bem como sua associação positiva do consumo desta bebida com obesidade, os ensaios 2 e 3 avaliaram os efeitos individuais e agregados, respectivamente, da adoção uma política de saúde baseada no aumento de impostos sobre bebidas açucaradas. No ensaio 2, adotou-se o modelo de duas partes para estimar as elasticidades preço demanda, as quais indicaram que o aumento do preço de bebidas açucaradas (refrigerantes e sucos) reduz o consumo, especialmente dos grupos que mais consomem destas bebidas. O resultado sobre o peso apresentou magnitude modesta, porém esta medida mostrou-se relevante na prevenção da obesidade, dado que maiores perdas de peso foram observadas na faixa próxima ao IMC correspondente à obesidade. Os efeitos em termos agregados foram simulados a partir do modelo de preços derivado da matriz de insumo produto, e os resultados mostram que uma política tributária sobre refrigerantes tende a gerar poucos efeitos adversos para a economia, com redução da produção do referido setor e daqueles diretamente inter-relacionados sendo compensada pelo aumento na produção de outros setores. O mesmo foi observado para o emprego, que apresentou variação positiva. No que se refere ao consumo, dado que em termos individuais o aumento tributário de 10% contribui para reduzir o consumo em 6,1%, a despesa de consumo agregado das famílias sofreria redução de 2,1%, com maior redução verificada na faixa de renda intermediária. Diante disso, conclui-se que a redução no preço dos alimentos mais calóricos observada nos últimos anos teve impacto sobre o peso dos brasileiros, e portanto, poderia ser levada em consideração na estruturação de políticas públicas para o combate à obesidade. / The objective of this thesis is to analyze the influence of the price of food on the growth of obesity in Brazil and to assess the effects of a policy based on price as a prevention instrument against obesity. These issues were analyzed in three essays that make use of the economic structure, based on the principle of economic rationality, in order to understand individual choices about calorie intake and expenditure and the dynamics of weight gain of Brazilians. Essay 1 identifies the main changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) of Brazilians and estimates the contribution of food prices from the relative distribution method and of counterfactual decomposition. It was verified that, concomitant to the increase in obesity, there is a shift towards the right of the BMI distribution revealing: a) a greater density of individuals in the regions of overweight and obesity; and b) an increase of the medium BMI a major dispersion around this. The results indicated that the price increases observed between 2002 and 2009 were important to contain the advance of obesity. However, the effect of that variation (level effect) was lower than that observed for the change of the impact of food on BMI (structure effect). The prices of foods such as soft drinks, meat and whole milk showed to be quite significant. On the other hand, income and years of study contributed positively for the increase of the BMI in the analyzed period. Considering the effect obtained for the price of soft drinks on BMI, as well as the positive association of consumption of this type of beverage with obesity, essays 2 and 3 evaluated the individual and aggregate effects, respectively, of the adoption of a health policy based on the increase of taxes on sugary drinks. In essay 2, the two part model was adopted in order to estimate the price-demand elasticity, which indicated that the price increase of sugary drinks (soft drinks and juices) reduce the consumption, especially of the groups that most consume these beverages. The result on weight presented a modest magnitude; however this measure showed to be relevant in the prevention of obesity, since the greater weight losses were observed in the group nearest to the BMI corresponding to obesity. The effects in aggregate terms were simulated parting from the price model derived from the product input matrix, and the results show that a tax policy on soft drinks tends to generate few adverse effects for the economy, with a production reduction of that sector and those directly interrelated being offset by increased production in other sectors. The same was observed for employment, which presented a positive variation. Regarding consumption, since in individual terms the 10% tributary increase contributed to reduce consumption in 6,1%, the aggregate consumption expenditure of households would suffer a reduction of 2.1%, with greater reductions observed in the middle-income range. Therefore, it is concluded that the reduction in the price of high-calorie foods observed in recent years has had an impact on the weight of Brazilians, and therefore, could be taken into account in the structuring of public policies for the fight against obesity.

O objetivo desta tese é analisar a influência do preço dos alimentos sobre o crescimento da obesidade no Brasil e avaliar os efeitos de uma política baseada no preço como instrumento de prevenção da obesidade. Essas questões foram analisadas em três ensaios que utilizam da estrutura econômica, baseada no princípio de racionalidade econômica, para compreender as escolhas individuais quanto à ingestão e gasto calóricos e a dinâmica do ganho de peso dos brasileiros. O ensaio 1 identifica as principais mudanças no índice de massa corporal (IMC) dos brasileiros e estima a contribuição dos preços dos alimentos a partir dos métodos de distribuição relativa e de decomposição contrafactual. Verificou-se que, concomitante ao aumento da obesidade, um deslocamento para a direita da distribuição do IMC revelando: a) uma maior densidade de indivíduos nas regiões de sobrepeso e obesidade; e b) um aumento do IMC mediano uma maior dispersão em torno deste. Os resultados indicaram que o aumento de preço observado entre 2002 e 2009 foi importante para conter o avanço da obesidade. Contudo, o efeito dessa variação (efeito nível) foi inferior àquele verificado para a mudança do impacto dos alimentos sobre o IMC (efeito estrutura). Os preços de alimentos como refrigerantes, carne e leite integral mostraram-se bastante significativos. Por outro lado, a renda e os anos de estudo contribuíram positivamente para o aumento do IMC no período analisado. Considerando os efeitos obtidos para o preço de refrigerantes sobre o IMC, bem como sua associação positiva do consumo desta bebida com obesidade, os ensaios 2 e 3 avaliaram os efeitos individuais e agregados, respectivamente, da adoção uma política de saúde baseada no aumento de impostos sobre bebidas açucaradas. No ensaio 2, adotou-se o modelo de duas partes para estimar as elasticidades preço demanda, as quais indicaram que o aumento do preço de bebidas açucaradas (refrigerantes e sucos) reduz o consumo, especialmente dos grupos que mais consomem destas bebidas. O resultado sobre o peso apresentou magnitude modesta, porém esta medida mostrou-se relevante na prevenção da obesidade, dado que maiores perdas de peso foram observadas na faixa próxima ao IMC correspondente à obesidade. Os efeitos em termos agregados foram simulados a partir do modelo de preços derivado da matriz de insumo produto, e os resultados mostram que uma política tributária sobre refrigerantes tende a gerar poucos efeitos adversos para a economia, com redução da produção do referido setor e daqueles diretamente inter-relacionados sendo compensada pelo aumento na produção de outros setores. O mesmo foi observado para o emprego, que apresentou variação positiva. No que se refere ao consumo, dado que em termos individuais o aumento tributário de 10% contribui para reduzir o consumo em 6,1%, a despesa de consumo agregado das famílias sofreria redução de 2,1%, com maior redução verificada na faixa de renda intermediária. Diante disso, conclui-se que a redução no preço dos alimentos mais calóricos observada nos últimos anos teve impacto sobre o peso dos brasileiros, e portanto, poderia ser levada em consideração na estruturação de políticas públicas para o combate à obesidade. / The objective of this thesis is to analyze the influence of the price of food on the growth of obesity in Brazil and to assess the effects of a policy based on price as a prevention instrument against obesity. These issues were analyzed in three essays that make use of the economic structure, based on the principle of economic rationality, in order to understand individual choices about calorie intake and expenditure and the dynamics of weight gain of Brazilians. Essay 1 identifies the main changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) of Brazilians and estimates the contribution of food prices from the relative distribution method and of counterfactual decomposition. It was verified that, concomitant to the increase in obesity, there is a shift towards the right of the BMI distribution revealing: a) a greater density of individuals in the regions of overweight and obesity; and b) an increase of the medium BMI a major dispersion around this. The results indicated that the price increases observed between 2002 and 2009 were important to contain the advance of obesity. However, the effect of that variation (level effect) was lower than that observed for the change of the impact of food on BMI (structure effect). The prices of foods such as soft drinks, meat and whole milk showed to be quite significant. On the other hand, income and years of study contributed positively for the increase of the BMI in the analyzed period. Considering the effect obtained for the price of soft drinks on BMI, as well as the positive association of consumption of this type of beverage with obesity, essays 2 and 3 evaluated the individual and aggregate effects, respectively, of the adoption of a health policy based on the increase of taxes on sugary drinks. In essay 2, the two part model was adopted in order to estimate the price-demand elasticity, which indicated that the price increase of sugary drinks (soft drinks and juices) reduce the consumption, especially of the groups that most consume these beverages. The result on weight presented a modest magnitude; however this measure showed to be relevant in the prevention of obesity, since the greater weight losses were observed in the group nearest to the BMI corresponding to obesity. The effects in aggregate terms were simulated parting from the price model derived from the product input matrix, and the results show that a tax policy on soft drinks tends to generate few adverse effects for the economy, with a production reduction of that sector and those directly interrelated being offset by increased production in other sectors. The same was observed for employment, which presented a positive variation. Regarding consumption, since in individual terms the 10% tributary increase contributed to reduce consumption in 6,1%, the aggregate consumption expenditure of households would suffer a reduction of 2.1%, with greater reductions observed in the middle-income range. Therefore, it is concluded that the reduction in the price of high-calorie foods observed in recent years has had an impact on the weight of Brazilians, and therefore, could be taken into account in the structuring of public policies for the fight against obesity.

Thesis advisor: Arthur Lewbel / This thesis consists of two chapters. In Chapter 1, I studied the consumption inequalities between men and women, as well as boys and girls, within the households in Sierra Leone. Through a collective household model, I found that women on average experience lower levels of consumption than men, with the inequality concentrated in households that are large or consist of more women than men. Moreover, there is little evidence of overall consumption inequality by gender for children, while both boys and girls have very high poverty rates. In addition, I developed a new strategy for understanding who is perceived as a child vs. an adult in a household, which improved the estimation. In Chapter 2, I studied the associations between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes and adolescent obesity in the US. I found that the taxes were associated with a lower body mass index and a lower probability of being overweight or obese. I found that SSBs and milk consumption had mediating roles, as tax increases were associated with decreases in SSB consumption and increases in milk consumption. Given the limited implementation and recent preemption of SSB taxes across the US, these results would help in understanding the potential benefits of implementing SSB taxes on a larger scale. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Economics.