Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Look at Soft Drinks, Student Health

Aired August 27, 2002 - 13:28   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Since the nation's second largest school district may have to settle for an alternative -- the Los Angeles County School Board today is expected ban soft drink sales on campuses, in hopes of preventing better help.
Let's turn to our medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta. He is live in New York.

Sanjay, what do you think?

SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon.

This is getting a lot of discussion, no question, Kyra -- almost as much discussion as is it soda versus pop. Everyone on the street appears to have something to say about this. Let's listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They make juices or other substitutes, not really sugar and water. I think it is a better option.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think kids should be allowed to have snacks and stuff that they want in school.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, I don't think they should. Too much sugar -- makes them hyperactive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that it is one of those things that, you know, I don't have an objective to controlling for. Because kids that eat too much sugar, there's too much diabetes in children now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUPTA: Fourteen percent of kids are now overweight or obese in this country. That number has tripled since the 1960s. Certainly, that's part of the reason why this has gained so much attention. Could soda pop, or the ban of the sale of that at least, actually help curtail the obesity epidemic. Well, a lot of experts think that the problem is a much more complicated problem than that and actually just getting rid of soda sales in schools may address a very small part.

Having said that, drinking soda pretty much is drinking just empty calories: 120 to 150 calories in most cans of soda. That's also like eating 9 teaspoons of sugar. Besides leading to tooth decay, it can actually stunt growth, lead to poor bone quality and can sometimes be addictive. But the real problem and real attention grabber here, Kyra, is the obesity problem. PHILLIPS: Yes, I do want to talk more about that obesity in a moment.

But you brought up about the bones, and as you were talking, I remembered stories coming out -- I didn't know if it was a myth or if it was true -- but bones actually deteriorate if you drink a lot of soda pop. Is that true?

GUPTA: They believe it is combination of a few things -- yes, it is true. They believe it is a combination of a few things within the soda, not only the caffeine, but also the phosphorous. So some of the phosphorous within the soda as well actually can be inhibiting, actually slow down the rate of bone growth. In kids, whose bones are skill growing, that can be a particular problem.

PHILLIPS: So how do parents get involved and help convince their kids you don't need soda pop or anything else, of course, that is leading to the childhood obesity problem?

GUPTA: That's right. It is an important problem. Like I said, it's a really complicated problem, and halting sales of soda within schools is certainly addressing a very small part of that. In addition to controlling dietary patterns, there is also activity. We have become a more sedentary society overall. If you look at some of the recommendations now from the Surgeon General's office, they are very specific: try to plan activities for the whole family, reduce sedentary activities -- TV and video games -- which are becoming so much more popular than they were in the '60s, encourage activity for at least one hour a day four times a week -- 60 minutes a day is what they recommend for kids -- compare that to adults where they also recommend activity for about 30 minutes a day. When they say "activity," you really have got to your heart rate up and really be doing something rather vigorous: playing outside, playing organized sports, something -- but really getting up off the couch and trying to get involved in some way.

PHILLIPS: All right, doc, how about some alternatives to soda.

GUPTA: There are great alternatives out there, Kyra, and I know you are a water drinker. I am a water drinker as well. Certainly, that tops the list. Milk -- drink a full glass of milk -- that's about 80 calories, and plus you have your calcium, which is something kids are going to need for their developing bones, much more so than soda pop. Drinks with at least 50 percent juice content. And then also, Kyra, we have been seeing a lot of the sports drinks as of late. Those are good alternatives. I will throw a word to caution as well, though: You need to read those labels; those can also be packed full of carbohydrates, packed full of sugars. If you are trying to lose weight, if you are trying to avoid the extra sugar, they may not be the drink for you. But there are some good choices out there.

PHILLIPS: Didn't I see you drinking out of your glass of water right there?

GUPTA: That's right. I'm always drinking out of my water.

PHILLIPS: See, there you go. You are the role model.

Sanjay Gupta, thank you.

GUPTA: Good seeing you, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Likewise.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com