[yodsanklai]

I'm not sure this has to do with subsidies. Companies like Coca Cola put billions of dollars into marketing and advertising, and sugar is very addictive. On the other hand, there are a lot of protests when governments try to regulate junk food (like when Bloomberg tried to ban big sodas), the whole "nanny state" debate. In that context, no wonder there's an obesity issue in the US (and other countries). I had some heated discussion with some american friends over this topic, it gets very ideological.

[doah78]

If sugar and other sweeteners weren't so dirt cheap, maybe people wouldn't eat a dozen donuts for breakfast and maybe if these sugary "treats" went back to being treats instead of staples of the American, possibly other, diets we wouldn't be in this predicament. I agree that sugar is quite addictive. The craving for a pizza or ice cream can be overwhelming for me. Some of the food manufacturers in my opinion should almost be regulated like the tobacco industry. They do the same thing. Just no one wants to talk about favorite sugary food or drink causing ailments, it is like the greatest secret everyone knows.