The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that school districts restrict the sale of soft drinks to safeguard against health problems that result from over consumption.

AAP points out that sweetened drinks constitute the primary source of added sugar in the daily diets of children and that a 12-ounce serving of a carbonated sweetened soft contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar. This not only leads to increased risk of dental problems – it also contributes greatly to overweight and obesity. If that’s not enough our children are also suffering from Type 2 Diabetes which only 10-15 years ago was considered an adult disease.

The Academy also states that between _ to _ of school age children consume at least one soft drink daily. That is a lot of added sugar in a young person’s diet. Credit should be given to AAP for attempting to reduce consumption of soft drinks in schools as well as suggesting that vending machines not be placed in lunch rooms. This puts soft drinks in competition with the school lunch program and leads to poor diet choices.

For additional about school health, visit The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools at www.healthinschools.org.

SOURCE: National Association of Local Boards of Health. First Quarter, 2004.

George T. Rowan, Ph.D. is a professor in the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources at Michigan State University and a member of the Ingham County Extension Board.

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