SODA POP NOT BENIGN

Tuesday Oct 13, 2009

A recent article in USA TODAY reported that extreme obesity can shorten people's lives by 12 years. 2/3 of Americans are overweight or obese. According to the article, excess weight was responsible for the loss of 95 million years of life in the USA in 2008.

As a youngster I grew up in the great midwest.

You can guess my current age by the price of a Coca Cola or Pepsi at the time: 5 cents!

My parents thought that "soft drinks" were good for kids and the price was certainly right.

By the time I was 10, I drank at least one bottle a day. In the summer, when temperatures hit the 90's, I would guzzle 2 or 3 sixteen ounce bottles a day.

No one gave a thought to the number of massive sugar and calories I stashed away.

By the time I was 12, I was chubby and overweight. That lasted until I hit my growth spurt and changed my soda habits for milk.

Today study after study warns us about the horrible effects of obesity. It is the number one health concern in America.

We adults have the obligation to establish health habits in our kids. That includes what we drink or eat.

Soda pop has so much sugar it may as well labeled C,12 -H,22-,O,ll. One easy way to strike back against obesity: avoid giving sugary drinks to children.

Category: Miscellaneous

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