Should the Size of Sugary Drinks Be Restricted?
Should the size of sugary drinks be restricted?
Sugary drinks are popular especially among adolescents around the world. Not only are sugary drinks tasty and cheap, they are also widely available everywhere, even in most primary and secondary schools. New York City Mayor Bloomberg recently proposed to restrict the sale of big size sodas and other sugar sweetened beverages to help obesity. This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of restricting the size of sugary drinks sold in restaurants and fast food shops in terms of the effectiveness on preventing obesity and the implications on infringing on the personal choices of the individual.
Over-consumption of sugar damages people’s health by causing obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Sugary drinks, which are of limited nutritious value, are the single greatest source of added sugar in most people’s diet. According to a survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong in 2011, on average, an adult in Hong Kong drinks 40 gallons of sweetened liquids per year, whereas adolescents consume almost twice the average amount. Michael Jacobson, the executive officer of the Center for Science in the Public Interest claimed that if people shift from a 20-ounce serving of sugary drink to a 16-ounce serving drink once a week, it could potentially prevent an estimated 2.5 million pounds of weight every year.
However, it is impossible to predict whether restricting sugary drink size will help cut sugar and calorie consumption or make an impact on the percentage of people who are obese. Indeed, studies by the Center for Disease Control have not indicated a definitive link between soda consumption and obesity. Brian Wansink, a professor of consumer behavior at Cornell University stated that limiting or removing a single food from the diet is no guarantee that it will not be replaced by another source of calories.
On one hand, some people, especially adolescents, do not know how to make the right choice for
Sugary drinks are popular especially among adolescents around the world. Not only are sugary drinks tasty and cheap, they are also widely available everywhere, even in most primary and secondary schools. New York City Mayor Bloomberg recently proposed to restrict the sale of big size sodas and other sugar sweetened beverages to help obesity. This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of restricting the size of sugary drinks sold in restaurants and fast food shops in terms of the effectiveness on preventing obesity and the implications on infringing on the personal choices of the individual.
Over-consumption of sugar damages people’s health by causing obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Sugary drinks, which are of limited nutritious value, are the single greatest source of added sugar in most people’s diet. According to a survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong in 2011, on average, an adult in Hong Kong drinks 40 gallons of sweetened liquids per year, whereas adolescents consume almost twice the average amount. Michael Jacobson, the executive officer of the Center for Science in the Public Interest claimed that if people shift from a 20-ounce serving of sugary drink to a 16-ounce serving drink once a week, it could potentially prevent an estimated 2.5 million pounds of weight every year.
However, it is impossible to predict whether restricting sugary drink size will help cut sugar and calorie consumption or make an impact on the percentage of people who are obese. Indeed, studies by the Center for Disease Control have not indicated a definitive link between soda consumption and obesity. Brian Wansink, a professor of consumer behavior at Cornell University stated that limiting or removing a single food from the diet is no guarantee that it will not be replaced by another source of calories.
On one hand, some people, especially adolescents, do not know how to make the right choice for