|
Click
Here to see a list of previous articles
 |
Pediatricians
on Obesity and Schools' Role
|
The American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement on soft drinks in school is intended
to inform pediatricians, other professionals, and parents about the health
effects of soft drink consumption. Research that supports the contribution
of soda drinks to overweight, obesity, displacement of calories, dental
caries, and calcium deficiencies are discussed. Recommendations include:
(1) pediatricians should work to eliminate sweetened drink sales in schools;
(2) school nutrition advisory councils at every school/district; (3) re-evaluate
current vending machine contracts so that school lunches do not compete
with foods of minimal nutritional value (through timing of machine operation
and their proximity to cafeterias); and (4) eliminate classroom-based
consumption and advertising of these drinks. In the same publication of
Pediatrics, an article reported results of an investigation on fast-food
consumption by children. Using 1996 nationally representative surveillance
data (over 6 thousand children ages 4-19), it was found that on a typical
day, almost one-third of children consume fast food. Prevalence of fast
food consumption is high for all sub-populations, but highest for males,
non- Hispanic Blacks, and those residing in Southern states. Children
who eat fast food consume more calories, more fat, more carbohydrates,
more added sugars, less fiber, less milk, and fewer fruits and vegetables
(excepting potatoes) than those who do
not.
(Committee on School Health, AAP. Pediatrics 2004; 113(1):152-154)
(Bowman SA et al. Pediatrics 2004; 113(1):112-118)
.
Contributed by: 
Previous Articles:
|
