Banning Sugary Drinks Doesn't Lower Consumption

Jackie Browning, RD, with Bon Secours Weight Loss Institute, with a second grade class at Christ the King Catholic School in Norfolk

Researchers tracking almost 7,000 students in public schools throughout the United States is showing that banning sugared beverages from schools may limit children’s access to calorie-laden sodas and sports drinks but has little impact on their overall intake of the drinks.

It may not be surprising to hear that adolescents are skilled at finding ways to overcome restrictions. Strict school policies banning high calorie drinks and serving only water, milk, and 100% juice resulted in only a 2% of students reporting a decreased consumption. These findings suggest that comprehensive state policies banning or reducing access to all sugar-sweetened drinks from public schools won’t necessarily steer kids away from high-calorie soft drinks.

The research, published int he Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, demonstrates how schools are only part of the puzzle. To affect children’s consumption of these sugar-sweetened beverages (which have been linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease), experts claim that comprehensive strategies need to focus on providing healthier alternatives in addition to limiting student access to these less nutritious drinks outside from the school.

Coordinating such a community effort will be a challenge; the average teen consumes about 300 calories per day — that’s nearly 15% of his daily calories — in sweetened beverages.

Parents and other adults who work with students can serve as role models by limiting their consumption of sodas and energy drinks, especially in front of children. Scheduling an appointment with a registered dietitian or nutritionist can also help highlight the dangers of sugary beverages and emphasize the value of healthier drinks such as water, milk and 100% fruit juice.

Bon Secours In Motion works with local schools in Hampton Roads to help educate children about the importance of making healthy decisions and getting active. If you’re interested in bringing an In Motion specialist to your school, contact us!

+ Read “Healthier Diets… Starting with the Juice Box”

Source: NYTimes, Healthland, “Banning Sugared Drinks in Schools Doesn’t Lower Student Consumption”