California Medical Association Sponsors Bill to Ban Sugary Drinks in Schools
AB 1746 Will Help Fight Childhood Obesity and Diabetes
On Friday, Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) introduced AB 1746, which would ban the sale of sugary sports drinks on middle and high school campuses throughout California. They are currently prohibited on elementary school campuses. Existing education code bans the sale of sodas in schools; this legislation would expand that to include sugary drinks. Beverages like these are among the most prominent factors contributing to our nation’s obesity epidemic.
"One in three California students is overweight or obese. We know that sugar-sweetened beverages, including sports drinks, are a major contributor to the problem," said James T. Hay, MD, California Medical Association (CMA) president."There is a common misconception that sports drinks, also known as electrolyte replacement beverages (ERBs), are healthy, yet many contain high-fructose corn syrup and/or other calorie-laden sweeteners that have been linked to the rise in childhood obesity, the primary cause of type 2 diabetes. CMA is pleased to join Assemblymember Williams and other groups committed to public health in sponsoring this bill."
Sports drinks are designed to replace fluids after intense exercise and generally contain sodium and potassium to improve fluid absorption in the body. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that ERBs may be useful when large quantities of fluids are lost through sweating on a daily basis, and/or by those who perform continuous exercise for more than 60 minutes. However, the USDA concludes that there is no need to substitute sports drinks for water as a primary form of fluid replacement.
“Sports drinks are an inappropriate option for California students. They were designed for athletes who have been sweating for an hour or more, not for children as they walk across campus or eat their lunch. Assemblymember Williams’ bill will close a loophole that has allowed the beverage industry to continue using California public schools to sell products that contribute to childhood obesity and diabetes,” said Harold Goldstein, MD, executive director of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA).
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that children should be given water before, during, and after exercise, with the exception of small amounts of sports drinks for children exercising in hot, humid conditions for more than one hour. The current school day does not include the kind of rigorous activity that warrants ready access to sports drinks.
“This bill aims to set the example of making healthful choices in life,” Assemblymember Williams said. “Research shows that these sugary drinks directly relate to higher incidents of obesity and many youth — and adults — are still consuming them unnecessarily. These drinks should not be a replacement for water.
CMA joins CCPHA as a sponsor of the bill.