Group Seeks to Eliminate Sodas in Schools - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 01-05-2004, 03:23 PM

Group Seeks to Eliminate Sodas in Schools

CHICAGO (Jan. 5) AP- Soft drinks should be eliminated from schools to help tackle the nation's obesity epidemic and pediatricians should work with their local schools to ensure that children are offered healthful alternatives, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.

In a new policy statement, the academy says doctors should contact superintendents and school board members and "emphasize the notion that every school in every district shares a responsibility for the nutritional health of its students."

Some schools already limit contracts with vendors of soft drinks and fast foods, though the soft drink industry has fought efforts by some states to mandate such restrictions.

While some schools rely on funds from vending machines to pay for student activities, the new policy says elementary and high schools should avoid such contracts, and that those with existing contracts should impose restrictions to avoid promoting overconsumption by kids.

The policy appears in the January issue of Pediatrics, being published Monday.

"The purpose of the statement is to give parents and superintendents and school board members and teachers, too, an awareness of the fact that they're playing a role in the current obesity crisis, and that they have measures at their disposal" to address it, said Dr. Robert D. Murray, the policy's lead author.

About 15 percent of U.S. youngsters aged 6 to 19 are seriously overweight. That is nearly 9 million youths and triple the number in a similar assessment from 1980.

Soft drinks are a common source of excess calories that can contribute to weight gain, and soft drink consumers at all ages have a higher daily calorie intake than nonconsumers, the academy's policy said. It cites data showing that 56 percent to 85 percent of school-age children consume at least one soft drink daily, most often sugared rather than diet sodas.

The National Soft Drink Association, which represents most soft drink makers nationwide, said the new policy is misguided and goes too far.

"Soft drinks can be a part of a balanced lifestyle and are a nice treat," said Jim Finkelstein, the association's executive director.

Hollow · 01-05-2004, 03:28 PM

what crap. its no different than buying soda from the store. and theyre not being forced to drink it so if they dont want to get fat, they dont have to. in fact im on lunch break at school right now with no money and i would die to have a soda.

*MIBabe03* · 01-05-2004, 03:33 PM

They threatened to do that at my high school last year. It didn't take affect though, we still had pop machines in every corridor of the school.

Kay Scarpetta · 01-05-2004, 06:09 PM

Blah.. my school is ghetto. All we have are Veryfine juice machines and Gatorade machines.

¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ · 01-05-2004, 06:13 PM

I dont really blame them.. especially for elementary schools. Lil kids are hyper enough, they dont need the caffeine lol. But yeah, I doubt kids are buying like, 5 cans a day, and if they are its their fault. Im sure though we'll all be seeing a lawsuit coming soon announcing that parents blame school for selling soda causing their kids to become overweight.

Jenya · 01-05-2004, 06:24 PM

I think the prices in these vending machines are outragious. I've seen prices as high as $2 for a can of pop in some places. That's crazy when you can go to any variety store and buy a case for $7.00.

PZelda · 01-05-2004, 06:30 PM

Hmmmm....Sounds good to me. I'm out of HS now and I'm definitely all for it. PUT MORE FRUIT JUICE MACHINES IN. Kids just aren't getting it with 4 fruit juice machines and 234623573457 soda machines. Besides, they're priced the same as soda bottles anyway.

FRUIT JUICE MACHINES ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mr. Stefani · 01-05-2004, 06:45 PM

If we didn't have coffee and soda at our school we'd all be sleeping through class even more.

Lucylover22 · 01-05-2004, 06:50 PM

At my school, you can only buy soda after school. The only thing you can buy at lunch is fruit juice.

Georgia's on my Mind · 01-05-2004, 06:53 PM

um..yeah i know, cause its not like they can buy a can and bring it to school...

PZelda · 01-05-2004, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Georgia's on my Mind
um..yeah i know, cause its not like they can buy a can and bring it to school...

When I went to HS, soda cans were illegal. They weren't allowed, because the teachers didn't want you spilling soda all over (they had the carpeting in the hallways replaced every few years, but still...).

AllIWantIsYourClutch · 01-05-2004, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kaffeine Kay
Blah.. my school is ghetto. All we have are Veryfine juice machines and Gatorade machines.

Hooray for ghetto schools! We have Gatorade, Powerade, and Fruitworks. Yay.

InspectorExstead · 01-05-2004, 08:34 PM

Yeah....our school threatened us with the possibility of this about 2 and a half years ago, when I was a freshman. They said it would go into affect January 2004. They've limited the number of sodas in the machines, and if they run out, they rarely replace them. Now, all they sell is Snapple and Gatorade. It's complete bs. Those drinks have so much sugar, aren't they afraid we're going to become obese? And if obesity is such an issue, maybe they should start focusing on PE, rather than what foods or drinks we're intaking.

*Marilyn Monroe* · 01-05-2004, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nirvana
If we didn't have coffee and soda at our school we'd all be sleeping through class even more.

No kidding. And it's bad enough as it is. No caffeine might just kill me. I'd just bring pop and hide it. People act like it's hard. You put it under your shirt, in your purse, wear a hoodie, stick it in the front pocket...etc. It's not hard.

But I bet that the legislation, or whatever they're trying to get, will be passed. The nation is on this health awareness kick. Not saying it's bad...but my grades will fail if I don't stay awake in class. Me being smart, or me being fat. Their choice, I guess.

dawsongirl · 01-05-2004, 10:53 PM

Until someone shows me some scientific study that says for certain that a soda makes you fat, I don't buy that. My father drinks like 5 a day and he's skinnier than most men his age.

Maybe it's all that **** they can buy in the snack machines. Ho ho anyone?

01-05-2004, 03:23 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Group Seeks to Eliminate Sodas in Schools Group Seeks to Eliminate Sodas in Schools CHICAGO (Jan. 5) AP- Soft drinks should be eliminated from schools to help tackle the nation's obesity epidemic and pediatricians should work with their local schools to ensure that children are offered healthful alternatives, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. In a new policy statement, the academy says doctors should contact superintendents and school board members and "emphasize the notion that every school in every district shares a responsibility for the nutritional health of its students." Some schools already limit contracts with vendors of soft drinks and fast foods, though the soft drink industry has fought efforts by some states to mandate such restrictions. While some schools rely on funds from vending machines to pay for student activities, the new policy says elementary and high schools should avoid such contracts, and that those with existing contracts should impose restrictions to avoid promoting overconsumption by kids. The policy appears in the January issue of Pediatrics, being published Monday. "The purpose of the statement is to give parents and superintendents and school board members and teachers, too, an awareness of the fact that they're playing a role in the current obesity crisis, and that they have measures at their disposal" to address it, said Dr. Robert D. Murray, the policy's lead author. About 15 percent of U.S. youngsters aged 6 to 19 are seriously overweight. That is nearly 9 million youths and triple the number in a similar assessment from 1980. Soft drinks are a common source of excess calories that can contribute to weight gain, and soft drink consumers at all ages have a higher daily calorie intake than nonconsumers, the academy's policy said. It cites data showing that 56 percent to 85 percent of school-age children consume at least one soft drink daily, most often sugared rather than diet sodas. The National Soft Drink Association, which represents most soft drink makers nationwide, said the new policy is misguided and goes too far. "Soft drinks can be a part of a balanced lifestyle and are a nice treat," said Jim Finkelstein, the association's executive director.

01-05-2004, 03:33 PM	#3
MIBabe03 Loving Swingtown! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 28, 2002 Location: TX Posts: 4,646	They threatened to do that at my high school last year. It didn't take affect though, we still had pop machines in every corridor of the school.
	__________________ Laura and Mario November 10, 2006

01-05-2004, 06:09 PM	#4
Kay Scarpetta Defy Gravity 8.26.05 Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Location: La Vie Boheme Posts: 28,013	Blah.. my school is ghetto. All we have are Veryfine juice machines and Gatorade machines.
	__________________ The people who think they know everything about Broadway make me laugh. They've never seen a Broadway play in their life. "oh mi godddd RENT's a mooovie! lyke 525600 minuuuuuuutes!" No. To be a Broadway Freak, you must live, eat, sleep, study, devout, think, obsess, dream, believe Broadway. You must know original & revival casts, soundtracks, performance runs, dates, theatres, numbers, how many Tony Awards A Chorus Line won. You must be Broadway. That's right bitches. I AM Broadway.

01-05-2004, 06:13 PM	#5
¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ MISS APRIL Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 19, 2001 Location: Parsonsfield ME Shaws - Screwing my way up the employment ladder! Posts: 68,780	I dont really blame them.. especially for elementary schools. Lil kids are hyper enough, they dont need the caffeine lol. But yeah, I doubt kids are buying like, 5 cans a day, and if they are its their fault. Im sure though we'll all be seeing a lawsuit coming soon announcing that parents blame school for selling soda causing their kids to become overweight.
	__________________ DAVID COOK FOR AMERICAN IDOL

01-05-2004, 06:24 PM	#6
Jenya Supervisor Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Canmore, Alberta Posts: 3,359	I think the prices in these vending machines are outragious. I've seen prices as high as $2 for a can of pop in some places. That's crazy when you can go to any variety store and buy a case for $7.00.
	__________________ Head-On...Apply directly to the Forehead! Head-On...Apply directly to the Forehead! Head-On...Apply directly to the Forehead! *Head-ON is available without a Prescription

01-05-2004, 03:28 PM	#2
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	what crap. its no different than buying soda from the store. and theyre not being forced to drink it so if they dont want to get fat, they dont have to. in fact im on lunch break at school right now with no money and i would die to have a soda.

01-05-2004, 06:30 PM	#7
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	Hmmmm....Sounds good to me. I'm out of HS now and I'm definitely all for it. PUT MORE FRUIT JUICE MACHINES IN. Kids just aren't getting it with 4 fruit juice machines and 234623573457 soda machines. Besides, they're priced the same as soda bottles anyway. FRUIT JUICE MACHINES ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!

01-05-2004, 06:45 PM	#8
Mr. Stefani Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jul 15, 2001 Posts: 20,757	If we didn't have coffee and soda at our school we'd all be sleeping through class even more.

01-05-2004, 06:50 PM	#9
Lucylover22 Young and Hopeless Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 15, 2001 Location: She-Town Posts: 769	At my school, you can only buy soda after school. The only thing you can buy at lunch is fruit juice.
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01-05-2004, 06:53 PM	#10
Georgia's on my Mind Senior Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Aug 19, 2001 Posts: 25,054	um..yeah i know, cause its not like they can buy a can and bring it to school...

01-05-2004, 08:34 PM	#13
InspectorExstead Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 29, 2001 Location: The Golden State Posts: 12,902	Yeah....our school threatened us with the possibility of this about 2 and a half years ago, when I was a freshman. They said it would go into affect January 2004. They've limited the number of sodas in the machines, and if they run out, they rarely replace them. Now, all they sell is Snapple and Gatorade. It's complete bs. Those drinks have so much sugar, aren't they afraid we're going to become obese? And if obesity is such an issue, maybe they should start focusing on PE, rather than what foods or drinks we're intaking.
	__________________ They killed my sister because she asked: "Where is my vote?" http://sosiran.com/ http://tapeshhd.com/index.php

01-05-2004, 10:53 PM	#15
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Until someone shows me some scientific study that says for certain that a soda makes you fat, I don't buy that. My father drinks like 5 a day and he's skinnier than most men his age. Maybe it's all that **** they can buy in the snack machines. Ho ho anyone?