Study Suggests Restrictions on Sodas in Elementary Schools Do Little to Curb Overall Consumption

A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association finds that limiting the availability of soft drinks in elementary schools may not significantly affect overall soda consumption by children, United Press International reports. To assess the impact of school-based soft drink bans, researchers from the Pardee RAND Graduate School in Santa Monica, Calif., analyzed the soft drink consumption of nearly 11,000 fifth grade students in 2,303 schools across 40 states. They found that limiting soft drink availability in elementary schools was associated with only a 4 percent reduction in overall consumption. When soft drinks are available in schools, the researchers found, about a quarter of children consume at least one soda per week at school. Rates of consumption were highest among African-American children, children from low-income households and those who reside in rural areas. Meenkashi Fernandes, the study's lead author, suggests that "greater reductions in children's consumption of soft drinks will require policy changes that go beyond food availability at school." Specifically, she cites a need for zoning regulations that address the types of food outlets in residential or school areas and efforts to promote milk and fruit juice as healthy substitutes for soft drinks. The researchers call for future study of the predictors of soda consumption, how children respond to reduced soft drink availability, and how food environments at home and school influence beverage consumption. They also suggest analysis of policy changes that have occurred since the study was conducted in 2003-2004 (UPI, 9/1/08; Journal of the American Dietetic Association release, 9/2/08; Journal of the American Dietetic Association, September 2008 [subscription required]). (Editor's Note: This study was funded by Healthy Eating Research and Active Living Research, two national programs of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.)