Schools drop fizzy drinks (From Western Telegraph)

Schools drop fizzy drinks

THE DAYS when Pembrokeshire schoolchildren grab a can of cola to quench their break-time thirst could be numbered.

To the delight of dentists and nutritionists, a health initiative aimed at improving the nutritional profile of the county's youngsters is targeting water and milk as alternative beverages.

The British Dental Health Foundation wants access to fizzy drinks restricted in schools to help reduce the risk of dental decay. Pembrokeshire is one step ahead thanks to the work of the Health Promoting Schools project.

Lynne Perry, Pembrokeshire's health promotion officer for Health Promoting Schools, said the project was working well at primary school level.

Water coolers had been installed and many schools allowed children to keep water bottles on their desks.

"Children have access to water at all times of the day,'' she said. "It has reduced the need for children to bring soft drinks to school.''

Some of Pembrokeshire's secondary schools have removed soft drink vending machines and offer healthier alternatives instead.

The results of a programme researching alternatives for all the county's secondary schools will be published next month.

Studies suggest that children who frequently consume fizzy drinks suffer dental erosion, while consumption of caffeinated drinks can lead to sleep deprivation and reduced levels of concentration.

The healthier choice of drinks for young people is water or milk, according to the British Dental Health Foundation.

"The availability of fizzy drinks and sugary foods in vending machines in schools is making it too easy for children to make diet choices that can have a negative effect on their teeth and overall health,'' said the foundation's chief executive, Dr Nigel Carter.

"If schools need to have a vending machine to make money they should think about the products in them and could include mineral water, yogurt, plain popcorn and even organic products."