By Jane Putnam
Following the crusade to make vending machines and school children healthier, sodas were removed from the vending machines of elementary and secondary schools in several states this May.
Beyond the elementary and secondary school students, the rest of America is not immune from the health consequences of soda.
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, carbonated soft drinks are the single biggest source of calories in the American diet.
Several scientific studies have provided experimental evidence that soft drinks are directly related to weight gain. That weight gain, in turn, is a prime risk factor for Type 2 diabetes that is becoming a problem for teens as well as adults, according to the center.
Now that soda products have been removed from elementary and secondary schools, many are wondering if college campuses are next.
'I hate drinking soda,' said Matt Pruitt, 24, a senior from Houston. 'It makes me feel sick. It''s definitely not good for you - all of that nasty syrup and carbonation.'
However, some don''t feel there is a need to remove soft drinks from college vending machines.
'I don''t think colleges should remove sodas from the vending machines,' said James Meeks, a physician''s assistant in Lindon. 'College students have access to everything and removing soda from the machines won''t stop students from getting it elsewhere.'
BYU has not thought about removing soda products from vending machines on campus, said Scott Hirsche, a route supervisor for BYU campus vending. However, BYU Vending does not sell anything with caffeine, Hirsche said.
Caffeine will cause dehydration and the massive depletion of minerals in the body, according to the Center for Unhindered Living, a group based out of Oklahoma. The negative effects of soft drinks don''t stop there. Add tooth decay and bone weakening to the mix as well.
'It''s really important that, if you''re a child or teen, that you drink ample milk and not soda. said Lisa Shea, a BellaOnline.com editor, in her newsletter. 'As an adult, milk is less necessary, and can be rejected by your body. However, it''s important to take daily vitamin pills that include calcium, and to avoid soda so you don''t damage your existing calcium levels.'
The removal of soda in elementary and secondary schools came after the Surgeon General warned the country of an increasing problem with obesity. In addition to banishing soda, vending machines in schools all over the country are replacing cookies with apples and ice cream with fat free yogurt.
Child obesity, poor nutrition and a source of excess calories were the reasons for the removal, according to Organicconsumers.org, an online health organization.
The state of Utah has not set a statewide requirement to remove sodas and non-nutritious foods from vending machines; the requirements and rules vary by district, said Nancy Benton, assistant director of child nutrition for the Utah State Office of Education.
'Each school district makes up their own wellness policy and their policy may address sodas,' Benton said.
Benton added if there is soda available, schools must also offer juices, milks and nutritious drinks.
'We are under obligation to have healthy food choices in our vending machines,' said Jerri Mortensen, an administrative assistant in the Alpine School District.
Alpine School District in American Fork has removed most soft drink products from school vending machines and soft drink removal will be piloted in the nine Alpine junior high schools this year, Mortensen said.
Parents have also expressed concern over soft drinks in schools. Many are pleased with the removal.
'I completely agree with the removal,' said Tonya Fischio, mother of three and part-time staff member at BYU. 'With child obesity on the rise, why do we need to encourage over consumption of sugar? Sugar hampers the learning environment and I never understood why it was made so readily available in schools.'
Several states have started to create laws and regulations of their own about soft drinks in schools.
In 2002, legislators in California proposed a bill, SB 1520, also known as the California Soda Tax Act. The bill was originally slated to increase tax on soda by 2 cents. The bill was struck down, and instead removal of sodas in school was approved.
The legislation doesn''t stop there. A Maryland senator introduced a bill in 2004 that would prohibit sales of soft drinks and other non-nutritious foods in schools until 30 minutes after school ended, according to newsday.com. The bill was rejected.