The formation of
healthy or unhealthy eating patterns begins at a young age. It usually around the
time a child starts school that they begin to select foods by themselves to
consume. This food selection is influenced not only by the parents, but also by
the food and beverage items they are surrounded by. According to the CDC,
childhood obesity has tripled over the past 30 years and is at a higher rate
than ever. It is estimated that at least 9 million children over the age of 6
are considered to be obese. A startling statistic that soft drink consumption
has increased by 300% in the past 20 years got me thinking that cutting out
soft drinks in schools from Kindergarten through the 12th grade will
significantly lower the number of overweight beings. If children are not given
the option to have soda when they are young they will have to accept other
healthy beverage options to quench their thirst. If this pattern of not having
soda in schools continues, children might not even know what soda is when they
begin to select their foods and drinks and would never have a struggle not
picking it.
The serving size
of a soft drink used to be about 6.5 ounces. In 2012, that serving size is now
doubled and contains about 150 calories per can and 10 teaspoons of sugar. This
high amount of sugar results in energy in those who consume it and is not being
utilized by kids like it should. Before a child could burn off a soda in about
20 minutes by playing outside, but outdoor adventures have now been over-taken
by video games so this high sugar content is just adding up into fatty deposits
inside consumers. Besides the sugar, there are a number of other unhealthy
factors in your basic soda like the fact that they have no vitamin or healthy
nutrient content.
Alternatives to
these carbonated drinks can be made in schools. This is a time in a child’s
life where they are too obey adults and peers and the removal of soft drinks
from the school when there are other options should not (but could) cause many
problems. Schools need to offer milk as an option to make-up for the lack of
calcium children are getting from only drinking soft drinks. Water is also
always a healthy alternative, but if kids complain of the bland taste calorie
free flavored additives or fruit soaked water can be offered. Juices are of
similar controversy like soda’s because of their sugar content, but 100% fruit juice
still containing all of its original nutritional value is a healthy
alternative. Iced Teas for younger children and hot teas when they reach an age
of understanding how to consume a hot drink could also be offered.
All of these
other options are just as affordable if not cheaper than carbonated beverages
so a school budget should not be too much of an issue. Considering the fact
that Alabama was named the state with the highest amount of obese teenagers, I
think this soda removal is something that we need to start enacting now while
kids are at a young age to improve these statistics by the time they are in
high school. Removing soda however isn’t just about giving Alabama a better
reputation. It is about creating a healthier lifestyle, for a healthy and
happier world.
