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Bills take aim at junk food
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Columbus, Ohio — Kids looking for junk food in their school vending machines may soon be disappointed.
State lawmakers introduced two identical bills that would outlaw carbonated beverages and toss out old favorites like Oreos, Doritos and Skittles because of their high calories, fat content and/or sugar content.
But the 13-page bills aren't likely to be adopted as is. The American Heart Association wants the legislation to mirror standards they've agreed upon with the American Beverage Association, American Dairy Association and major snack food manufacturers, said Cresha Auck, advocacy director for the AHA's Ohio chapter.
Those standards call for different calorie limits and serving sizes for high school, middle school and elementary school students.
But no matter what grade, the snacks could get no more than 35 percent of their calories from fat, no more than 10 percent of their calories from saturated fat and be more than 35 percent sugar by weight.
The legislation would allow the sale of unflavored water, milk, unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices, and sports drinks in containers that are 12 ounces or less. Carbonated beverages would be outlawed as well as any drink with more than 150 calories per serving.
State Sen. Eric Kearney, D-Cincinnati, said it's time to start addressing childhood obesity as a serious public health threat.
"We are absolutely going to make a big difference," Kearney said at a press conference Wednesday March 11.
An Ohio Department of Health survey of third-graders indicates more than 18.9 percent are overweight and another 16.7 percent are at risk for being overweight. Nationally, one-third of children ages 2 to 19 are already obese or overweight.
Dr. Doug Teske, a pediatric cardiologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, said taking junk food out of school vending machines won't solve the childhood obesity problem but "this is one of the little steps that we can start working on."
Contact this reporter at (614)224-1624 or lbischoff@DaytonDailyNews.com.
