Caloric Consumption Going Down

Obesity remains one of the gravest public health challenges facing our nation and the world.  Among other things, it places huge demands on our health care system.  So, it comes as good news that according to research done at the University of North Carolina (reported here), "while per capita intake of sugary, calorically sweetened drinks remains high in children and adults, the amounts they are drinking on a daily basis has decreased significantly. Among children ages 2 to 18 years, daily intake totals of calorically sweetened beverages dropped from 616.2 ml/day in 2003 to 460 ml/day in 2010. Among adults, the reduction also was significant, dropping from 536.4 ml/day in 2003 to 441 ml/day in 2010."

Soft drinks are still being consumed at an alarming rate in the U.S., but the trend away from sugary soft drinks is important and, evidently, being encouraged by the beverage industry itself.  This is not to say that the industry has suddenly become a knight in white armor when it comes to the fight against obesity, but at least it is beginning to show some concern for the impact its products are having on our well-being.  We can only hope that the public is becoming more aware of the need to cut back on sugary drinks and, thus, also creating a demand for sugar free products.  Obviously, there is still a long way to go, but it is encouraging that the trend is headed in the right direction.  Amen.

A Tiny Step in the Right Direction

The City of New York is considering banning the sale of soft drinks (soda) in amounts over 16 ounces by vendors under the jurisdiction of the city health department.  The Christian Science Monitor reports (here) that a crowd of supporters and opponents of the proposal packed a recent public hearing on it.  The point remains, of course, that soft drinks are a major health hazard and a primary contributor to the obesity epidemic in the U.S,, especially among children and young people.  On the other hand, research conducted by New York University indicates (here) that the specific New York City proposal will have little if any impact on the actual number of calories consumers consume—and could actually result in an increase in caloric intake if consumers react by drinking more smaller cups either in protest or because they're not satisfied with one 16 oz. serving.  Opponents, of course, are complaining about government interference, but then given the stake the soft drink industry has in contributing to obesity their particular opposition rings hollow.  It is the battle against smoking all over again, and this time the stakes are just as high or higher.

So, why proceed if the benefit to public health will be marginal at best?  The reason is that tiny steps like these are just a beginning, and we have to start somewhere.  In some ways, the debate over measures like this may be as important as the number of calories involved.  It really is a case of cigarettes again, and just as in that case so here there will be denial, anger, and huge push back from a major industry that benefits immensely from the sale of a product dangerous to the public good.  The fight has to be fought.  Amen.