World Report: December 9, 2005 Vol. 11 Iss. 12
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
A Vending-Machine Change
The American Beverage Association (ABA) reported last Thursday that the amount of sweetened soft drinks sold in U.S. schools fell more than 24% between 2002 and 2004.
Concern about childhood obesity has put pressure on soft-drink companies to stop selling soda--except sugar-free kinds--in schools, or at least to offer more choices. "Consumer preferences are changing, and the choices students are making from school vending machines are reflecting that," said ABA president Susan Neely.
The trend is not necessarily a victory in the fight for better health. As sales of regular soda dropped, sales of sports drinks rose 70%. While some sports drinks have fewer calories than soda, many are still high in sugar. "It's a substitution of one bad product for another," said Marion Nestle, a nutrition expert.
