A University of Michigan Ann Arbor study shows that the availability of high-calorie sodas in the nation's schools has dropped significantly since 2006, but that other sugary beverages still remain accessible to students.
According to a Reuters story, "Older students who could buy soda in high school fell to 25 percent in 2011 from 54 percent in 2006, while access by younger middle school students fell to 13 percent from 27 percent ... But fruit drinks, sports drinks and other beverages with added sugar and calories that could lead to obesity over time can still be bought easily in schools, the study showed."
The sale of sugary sodas in schools has been a major flashpoint in the national discussion of the obesity crisis, as factions debate what is an appropriate response by schools, parents and governments. As Reuters notes, the study comes out before "a long-overdue rule from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) over what kinds of food and drinks schools can sell outside the cafeteria. Another USDA rule on cafeteria foods earlier this year sparked controversy over its allowance of pizza - with tomato sauce - as a vegetable serving.
"Children's access to soda is a major concern among public health experts who point to all sugar-sweetened beverages as a key source of excess calories that can cause childhood obesity. Such drinks should be banned in schools in favor of water, low- or no-fat milk and 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices with no added sugar, they say."
According to a Reuters story, "Older students who could buy soda in high school fell to 25 percent in 2011 from 54 percent in 2006, while access by younger middle school students fell to 13 percent from 27 percent ... But fruit drinks, sports drinks and other beverages with added sugar and calories that could lead to obesity over time can still be bought easily in schools, the study showed."
The sale of sugary sodas in schools has been a major flashpoint in the national discussion of the obesity crisis, as factions debate what is an appropriate response by schools, parents and governments. As Reuters notes, the study comes out before "a long-overdue rule from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) over what kinds of food and drinks schools can sell outside the cafeteria. Another USDA rule on cafeteria foods earlier this year sparked controversy over its allowance of pizza - with tomato sauce - as a vegetable serving.
"Children's access to soda is a major concern among public health experts who point to all sugar-sweetened beverages as a key source of excess calories that can cause childhood obesity. Such drinks should be banned in schools in favor of water, low- or no-fat milk and 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices with no added sugar, they say."
- KC's View:
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I absolutely believe that schools have to be better about teaching kids about good nutrition, and that means being more measured about what they serve and sell. I'm a taxpayer, and it strikes me as an entirely proper use of taxpayer money to offer kids better food, and not the slop that they often get served. Pizza as a vegetable? Give me a break.
