Pediatricians in US and UK are recommending a ban on school soda and fruit drinks machines

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 06 Jan 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Both American and British pediatricians are asking schools to ban vending machines that sell soda and fruit drinks.

(UK and American English language explanation: Americans say - Soda. Brits say - Fizzy drinks. In UK, soda comes from a syphon and is added to, e.g. a whisky and soda).

In the latest assault on school vending machines, pediatricians are recommending a ban on soda and fruit drinks.

Vending machines should sell only real fruit and vegetable juices, water and low-fat white and flavored milk, the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a new policy statement.

The doctors said soda pop and fruit drinks are the main source of added sugar in children's diets and contribute to the childhood obesity epidemic.

One 12-ounce serving of soda pop contains 150 calories and the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar. Between 56 percent and 85 percent of schoolchildren consume at least one soft drink daily. Twenty percent of adolescent boys drink at least four soft drinks a day, the academy said.

Soft drinks also contribute to cavities. Moreover, the more soft drinks kids consume, the less milk they drink, putting them at risk later on for osteoporosis.

In Illinois (USA), a measure backed by Gov. Blagojevich would ban soft drinks and junk food from school vending machines.

Vending machine contracts earn schools more than $200 million. In the Chicago Public Schools, a five-year beverage vending machine contract that expires next October will earn the district $20 million.

The National Soft Drink Association (USA) said the pediatricians' proposed ban would go too far. Lack of physical activity is the main culprit in childhood obesity, the group said. 'Soft drinks can be part of a balanced lifestyle and are a nice treat,' said association spokesman Jim Finkelstein.

The policy statement is being published today in the journal Pediatrics.

Also in the journal, a study found that on a typical day, 30 percent of kids ages 4 to 19 eat fast food. Fast-food lovers consume more fats, sugars and carbohydrates and fewer fruits and non-starchy vegetables than kids who don't eat fast food, the study found.

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