If you hadn’t heard, New York City’s board of health approved Mayor Bloomberg’s ban on large sugary, sweetened drinks on Thursday September 13, 2012.
Under the plan, all restaurants, fast-food joints, delis, movie theaters, sports stadiums and even food carts will be barred from selling sugar-sweetened drinks in cups larger than 16 ounces.
The limits will not apply to drinks sold in grocery stores, diet sodas, drinks that are more than 70% fruit juice, or that contain alcohol.
Dairy drinks containing more than 50 percent milk will also be allowed. ~Huffington Post
Before I get to my thoughts, let’s talk statistics:
In 2010, 36.7% of adults in New York state were considered overweight (BMI of 25 – 29.9). Additionally, 23.9% of adults in New York state were classified as obese (BMI of 30 or greater) (Source). Since I know this ban is just for New York City and not the whole state, these numbers obviously aren’t the same as the city. However, I did take a look at some county data through the SMART BRFSS and if you select the county that includes New York City, the percentage of obesity was 21.9% in 2010. So, comparable to the state wide data.
Regardless of percentage points, I think we all know the number of both of adults and children becoming overweight or obese has steadily been increasing, no matter which state we live in. The statistics nationwide in 2011 are astounding, with 35.8% and 27.8% of adults being classified as overweight and obese, respectively. This is a total of 63.6% of adults reaching a weight that is above normal.
Now I know there are flaws with using the BMI has the end-all-be-all classifier, but it’s pretty clear that the nation has a problem on their hands. Plus, even those with a normal BMI, really don’t need be drinking that much soda at one sitting — no one should! I’m going to try to be succinct.
I’m for the ban. Why does anyone need to drink more than 16 ounces of a sugar-filled drink? Dare I say that 16 ounces is too generous? Perhaps this is an infringement on our human right to decide, but let’s focus on health. First off, America has a huge problem with portion distortion. Since we’re on the topic of soda, did you know that 20 years ago the average serving size of soda was 6.5 ounces and 82 calories? Now, the average serving size of soda is 20 ounces and 250 calories (Source). For more portion distortion examples over the past 20 years click the link.
Additionally, one California study (and I can find numerous more), found that adults who drank one or more sodas a day were 27% more likely to be overweight or obese and have a 27% higher risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes (source). The study includes data on children as well, but I haven’t even begun to talk about children in this post. You seriously don’t even want to get me started on my thoughts of parents giving their kids sugar drinks.
Ultimately, if the ban can prevent even a handful of people from taking a looking into their lifestyle habits regarding sugary drinks, then I say the ban is worth it. Sure you are allowed to order more than one drink, but perhaps those who want to do that will get tired of paying more. Perhaps the annoyance or burden of paying for more than one drink will be the reason someone starts to analyze why they drink what they do. Sure, perhaps not too.
So why sell it in grocery stores? Why allow diet sodas? I don’t obviously have all the answers and this soda ban isn’t going to solve the obesity epidemic… but every little bit can help. Hopefully those who buy soda at home aren’t drinking a two liter at once. Hopefully those who drink diet soda know that artificial chemicals aren’t the best. These are things we can hope and we can hope the ban makes some impact on the city.
I say kudos to the city for at least trying. Sure more can be done. More can always be done, especially regarding the health of our nation.
If you’d like even more statistics about New York state, view the YRBSS for adolescents and school health and PEDNSS for pediatric and pregnancy information. Click the links above for additional adult information.
Are you for or against the ban? Why? What additional/different actions could be taken?
could.not.agree.more.
like you said, if it makes even one person think twice, it’s worth it. it’s not like people are no longer able to buy the amount of soda they were before…they just have to do it in two separate trips. and that might make them stop and think about it.
I favor things that keep the best interest of our youth in mind. So if something like this prevents children from drinking a ton of soda I would see that as good.
On the other hand I think it’s all kid of silly. What is next? Banning fried foods? (I know the trans fat thing is already in place.) Ban butter? Ban corn dogs and elephant ears? Ban vegetable oil? The line between what is considered healthy or not really gets blurred. Moderation is key.
(I don’t drink soda, for what that’s worth. If I ever have childen we will not have soda in our home either. I didn’t drink it as a child and the taste disgusts me now as an adult.)
Great post! I am a new reader and feel strongly about health and nutrition as well. I think the soda Ban is a great start and you brought up some really valid points
I feel people need to make informed choices and hopefully this helps people realize that there are severe health risks to these sugary drinks…hopefully!!!
Thanks for being a new reader – I appreciate it!
Right on chica! I am in total agreement with you, no one needs to drink that much sugary soda in one sitting. That portion distortion thing is SO interesting too…and upsetting.
The portion distortion is crazy!! What we consider our salad plate now is what the dinner plate used to be! And juice glasses are completely different… and there are many more examples!
I love how u presented all of the facts! It’s such a hot topic, and usually people just joust an opinion wo doing their research!! Great post!!! I feel like it is totally unnecessary to need to drink that much pop, but I guess I see where ppl are coming from about their freedoms being taken away (blah blah blaaaah!) lol happy Tuesday and spa love!
Blahh blahh blahh exactly! HA!
Excellent post hon! I just wanted to add my two cents about the “government telling us what to do.”
I don’t view this ban as the government of NYC telling its residents what to do. They aren’t making large soda drinks illegal. Rather, they are simply dictating to businesses what they can sell. Alcohol is managed in a similar fashion. Is buying alcohol illegal? No way! But can you go to McDonald’s and expect to buy a beer? Of course not. In this way, there is a regulation being put on where these stupidly large drinks are being sold, not on the legality of people drinking that volume of pop (sorry, not soda
). Another analogy: let’s say these drinks were found to contain something that was poisonous. If the government stepped in and told businesses that they can’t sell Drink X because it’s poisonous for consumers, would people object? Probably not. Well these super large drinks are essentially poison (that acts on a looong time scale).
So I don’t think government regulation of a harmful substance is an invasion of our freedom as long as the government doesn’t try to outlaw it entirely.
You’re so articulate husband. Thanks for chiming in!
As a college student with a around the clock job schedule I drink a LOT of soda. Sometimes diet, but mostly high sugar content cola products and sweet tea. When I first heard about the ban I was shocked that the city was actually able to get the 16oz thing to pass.
After it passed though, it got me thinking. My lifestyle is not active at all (I sit behind a desk 50+ hours a week for work. Then I relax and only walk as a mode of transportation) and consuming all this sugar right now is not only going to promote unhealthy habits, but also health problems down the road.
The ban made me more conscience of my buying when I walk into 7eleven for a big gulp, I even realized that my pick me up latte, is just as good a jolt in a 8oz cup.
It’s hard to change habits on your own, and with a healthier idea in mind, I think the ban will help people outside of nyc as well.
Kudos to you for taking a look at your habits Amanda. Thanks for sharing your story!
I am completely for it! My only problem lies in the fact that there are so many other areas we need to focus on. Soda is a huge one and I’m completely glad that the ban is happening. Like you said… Do we really even need 16oz? no way! We seriously don’t. When you think about how much sugar, toxins, caffeine, etc etc that is….. omg! its terrifying. Reading the back of soda labels is a horrifying experience.
I just wish they would start focusing on things like fast food. I’m not saying ban fast food entirely, just put in more strict laws.
Ohh there are SO many things that could be done and need improvement. It’s figuring out what works and what’s the best way to go about making those changes that is the difficult thing.
Great post Katie. I did a recent Food Wars video analyzing KFC…and I found out they offer 64oz servings of soda! It was like 240g of sugar or something insane like that. Guess that won’t be happening anymore in NYC.
Thanks Brad! And ughh… so much sugar! No one needs that!
Such a great article Katie! Love how you presented the facts and your opinion on the issue. I agree with the ban and with you completely! Any thing that will help America take positive steps for change, I am all for!
<3
I can’t believe all the people that are actually for this ban. Government has no right to try to dictate what businesses can and can’t sell or to tell people what they can put in their bodies. Now I do not EVER drink soda (in any size). It has way too much sugar and the caffeine gives me a migraine. But if someone wants to put that crap in their bodies, that’s their choice. People are so concerned about childhood obesity. Where is the personal responsibility? If people don’t want to drink those huge sodas, DON’T BUY THEM. NYC went way over the line here and it’s ridiculous. It’s also quite judgmental to say that since you don’t know why anyone would put that stuff in your body, then it should be illegal.
Hi Cynthia, thanks for your response. I’m actually surprised that you were the first person to chime in against the ban – I thought I would have had more people discussing whether government should be involved or not. I appreciate you presenting your opinion but I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that this was an opinion piece and it was meant for us to all be able to discuss our opinions in a respectful way. I don’t think that makes me or any of the commenters judgmental. I would also like to add that I never said large sodas should be illegal. I support the NYC ban on selling large sodas in certain businesses but have never said that the government should make those drinks completely illegal. I feel there is a significant difference between “restricting sale” and “illegal.”
This soda ban isn’t the first type of action that is trying to protect the health of our nation. After the Super Size me movie came out, McDonald’s got rid of their supersize option. After we learned about the harmful effects of trans fat, labeling laws were set in place for make consumers aware of their amounts in foods. As we became more aware of the dangers of second-hand smoke, tighter restrictions were put in place (by state) that prohibited smoking in public areas. I am total agreement that personal responsibility is absolutely critical for improving the health of our nation but relying on personal responsibility alone is insufficient for lowering the obesity rate. Furthermore, I think this ban helps those who cannot make the choice for themselves:children. Young kids do not know the health dangers of consuming large sodas and probably don’t even realize the stuff that’s in them.
Finally, I just want to reiterate that this is all my opinion and if you disagree with me, that’s fine. I want this to be a discussion and no judgement is being passed on anyone.
Thanks for your response. I am sorry if I came across as disrespectful. Sometimes I can be very . . .aggressive about my opinions, especially when I feel strongly. I felt like some of your comments were a bit judgmental about people who drank large sodas, but that could have been just my perception. I certainly respect your beliefs, even if I disagree with them.
I do not drink soft drinks.
That said, there is no way to justify this happening in NYC. This is another example of our government WAY overstepping its bounds in respect to its citizens. Want to drop the hammer on something for our health’s sake? Why not start with smoking? That , at least, also affects others without their consent through second hand smoke. What’s next? Governmental restrictions of portion size? “Sorry, you can’t have a 12oz steak, the government says we can only serve meat 4oz at a time.” That’s absurd. So is the restriction placed on soda.
If I want to watch what I eat and drink for my health, I will do just that. If i am doing it to my own detriment, then that is my choice and my RIGHT to do so. If it were illegal to consume sugar that would be a different story, but its not.
I earn a wage. I pay taxes. I pay insurance premiums. The government has NO financial liability for if I drink a big coke. Granted, there are those people on government assistance that health problems associated with what they do to their bodies gets passed on to the government and the tax payer. Again, that is not me and I should be free to eat or drink as much sugar as I want.
Caffeine isn’t good for you. What if NYC said you can only buy coffee 6oz at a time?
Thank you for both of your comments David!
I agree completely with David. I do not drink soda at all for health reasons but that doesn’t mean I think they should be banned. Honestly, I think most of the people who are for this ban don’t drink soda. People only care about whether the government is overstepping its bounds when they ban something they don’t care about. What if the government wanted to ban peanut butter because of the recent recall. Something tells me peanut butter lovers would hate it.