So it seems limiting access to sugary soft drinks at school isn’t any golden bullet.
With childhood obesity a worsening problem and popular, heavily-sugared soft drinks recognized as very much a part of that problem, many parents want schools to take a lead role in solution-finding by at least removing sugary drinks from school vending machines and cafeterias. And in fact, school districts in some forty states already restrict sales of soft drinks on school premises.
But these efforts to reduce the amounts of soft drinks consumed by school children yield only marginal results, according to a recent study.
An article appearing in the September, 2008 edition of The Journal of the American Dietetic Association analyzes survey results of over 10,000 fifth grade students, across forty states, who attend schools in districts where soft drink sales bans are in effect. The kids were periodically asked by researchers about their overall soft drink consumption both at school and elsewhere, to assess the effect of such bans. And their answers were compared with those of children attending schools where soft drink sales are unregulated.
Bottom line? Banning the on-site sale of soft drinks only appears to reduce soft drink consumption by about four percentage points on average. In too many cases children simply show up at school with soft drinks lovingly packed into their lunch boxes by otherwise caring moms. Real changes in consumption habits will seemingly require substantive attitudinal changes by not only children but also their families, before hoped-for healthy outcomes can be realized.
So maybe this is a battle to be won by modest incentives rather than by broad fiat?
YoNaturals healthy vending machines provide a natural approach to the sugar problem, by making available delicious alternatives for kids in need of refreshment: wholesome and natural drinks (and snacks), without the problem ingredients mixed in! Surely, the wiser approach to the puzzle of dietary behavior modification is to handle it in sensible ways, drawing children toward products which satisfy thirst and hunger as nature truly intended them to be satisfied. Getting young children started on the path to proper nutrition requires both discipline and the presence of attractive replacements for that which is to be overcome.
Proper dietary principles have been taught in our schools for decades. Maybe it’s time we got more serious about supplying children with the healthy and delicious nutrition alternatives which their textbooks rightfully promote.
