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Should we be able to decide what foods our children consume?

Back in September 2005, California passed a law to ban soda sales in public schools. Opposition to the ban stated that the law was founded with no scientific evidence that soda is the cause of growing obesity rates among American teenagers, and that this state has clearly taken a stand against soda, instead of the heart of the matter – obesity.

Some on extreme opposition to the new law have said California Senator, Deborah Oritz has made it her personal vendetta to abolish soda consumption in every home in the state. Following a failed bill that would raise taxes on soda sales, including diet soda, by 2 – 9 cents per unit, Oritz proposed and passed a law that will prohibit soda sales in public schools to begin in 2007.

Children will soon only have the choice between water, milk and some sports and fruit drinks. The fact is true; there is a growing obesity rate among young adults that needs to be addressed. However, some are now asking, should we take the power away from local school districts, teachers and parents?

In addition to the loss of authority among those who know their children best, California is set to loose hundreds of dollars of income grossed through companies who pay to have their vending machines placed in the schools.

The theory is, if children don’t have the choice to consume certain drinks or snacks at school, they will learn that those foods and beverages not offered are to be considered unhealthy.  The opposing view thinks we should be spending more time teaching children about nutrition and the benefits of eating healthy and less time assuming they’ll catch the inferred reference to health. 

Still, many states are keeping a close watch on the effectiveness of this implementation and considering the ban themselves. The American Beverage Association recognizes the good intentions of this new law but also know that obesity is a complex problem that includes many factors. They believe lack of exercise, consumption of excessive calories, lifestyle and genetics should also be researched before any one determining factor can be made.

Everyday children are bombarded with marketing for unhealthy products. Ultimately, it will be up to their supervising counterparts whether or not they consume these products.
Some good in the marketing industry has already come of this new attitude, which promotes healthy alternatives and regulation of children’s ingestion of unhealthy foods through careful explanation. In 2003 when certain schools started implementing similar regulations in California teaching institutions, the soda industry had to reexamine their tactics. Now they are offering healthy alternatives including water, juices and sports drinks that can still be promoted throughout the schools.

California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger has vowed to end childhood obesity and says these are the state’s first major steps to achieving that goal. This policy is hoped to curb obesity, tooth decay and type 2 diabetes among children in California. Will other states follow suit? Only time will tell.