Childhood Obesity

Stop Selling Soda in Schools has no effect on A Down Childhood Obesity

prohibition of installing vending machines in schools does not imply that there is a decrease in obesity among schoolchildren. This is what emerges from a study in the U.S. and recently published in the prestigious scientific journal "Social Science & Medicine."
This pioneering work is because until now there had been no scientific study to assess the impact of the ban on selling soda in schools, a controversial measure imposed in many regions of the United States in order to reduce the alarming rates of obesity and overweight Children registered in the country.
Thus, 19.6% of U.S. children aged 6 to 11 are obese and another 15.9% has overweight. In Spain, the data also are daunting, and as the Spanish Food Safety Agency (AESAN), 45.2% of Spanish children is overweight. Overweight affects 26% of children, while 19% are obese.
The causes
Numerous hypotheses have been put forward to explain the rapid increase in childhood obesity and there is a consensus that fact to blame inactivity and poor diet.
The study, conducted among children enrolled in fifth through eighth grade, was divided into three parts. First, we wanted to establish whether access to soft drinks in school was related to the total beverage consumption. Then it was established whether the purchase of soft drinks was associated with total consumption. And finally, we studied how the school access to vending machines was associated with rising or falling weight.
"Despite increased the purchase of beverages in school vending machines, total consumption per week of these students did not increase," the study said. That is, children who consumed soft drinks at school then at home did not. Similarly, no significant variations in weight gain or loss of the studied children.
The authors conclude: "We found no evidence that the availability of soft drinks sales in schools affect the consumption of these beverages (...). Nor is there evidence of a link between the purchase of soft drinks in schools and their weight."

Fast food seems much more comfortable for everyone. Not just for children but also for their parents. "I do not think we realized the great problem that is being generated. One thing is comfort, and other consequences that we are having. Today is not about the kids eat what is not to be malnourished. Precisely is being achieved with states of malnutrition in spite of overweight and obesity, as this type of power that are joiningcontains too much saturated fat and fewer vitamins and minerals, "he adds.
Measures without results
Spanish children aged 5 to 16 years are living increasingly sedentary, attributable to technological development. Thus, 28% of them spend more than two hours a day watching television or playing computer games at the computer. In addition, 36% do not play sports as an extracurricular activity.
Dr. Marcos Ascensionnot believe that measures like the ban on selling soda in schools is effective in lowering obesity rates. "It has prohibited the purchase of soft drinks in schools, which does not detract from the kids carrying money and purchase these products outside of school. In addition, a recent study that is to be published, it was found that there are more factors important as skipping breakfast or lack of physical activity that impact more on the genesis of an unhealthy weight during adolescence, "he says.
For this expert, you can not implement serious programs to prevent and treat overweight and obesity if there is no budget for it, as is happening. "Besides, this is a multidisciplinary problem, so we should get together various experts in the subject with different perspectives to agree that prevention programs were effective," he insists.
A good food education
The child / adolescent should be educated to have a good diet, knowing what foods to eat every day or those who can not eliminate from your diet, such as breakfast. In fact, should not forget the other four meals a day to do. In addition to their healthy eating behavior, we must take care of your activity and fitness, which will not only help to prevent overweight / obesity but also to have greater intellectual performance.
Should we eliminate the consumption of soft drinks to prevent obesity? Dr. Marcos respond Ascension: "In all, the important thing is that the child / adolescent is well hydrated. It is to hydrate from the intake of one drink, so it is important to educate you so you know the quantities should take during the day and during the semana.Como in food, it is important to vary the food intake whendrinking, it is the same, variety is essential, especially at this age. "
"All these issues related to the analysis of obesity, nutrition and feeding, hydration and physical activity will be addressed in depth during the celebration of the next XI Congress of European Federation of Societies of Nutrition (FENS), which meet in Madrid from 26 to 29 October, experts from 38countries around the world, "concludes Dr. Marcos, president of the congress.