Fighting obesity by banning sugary drinks

Things are so different nowadays with our kids. Instead of going out, riding bikes, playing in the streets, more kids are staying inside, watching TV and playing video games.

It's no wonder why kids are becoming obese.

When Eden Pettis began showing signs of diabetes as a teenager, she knew she had to make some changes.


Laverne Morris, Eden's mom says, "Immediately cut out pop and juice with sugar any kind of sugared drinks. So, we only drank water."

That one move saved Eden nearly 800 calories a day.

If a kid drinks just one 12 ounce soda a day, for a year, it adds 35 pounds of sugar to their diet.

Dr. Kelly Kelleher with Ohio's Nationwide Children's Hospital says, "and that, multiplied by 2 or 3 cans a day, can add up to 10 or 15 pounds of weight, if they don't increase their exercise proportionately."

Which is why the hospital is part of a new movement to put a lid on sugary drinks.

Higher calorie sodas and sweetened juices are no longer on the menu and while the idea may be hard for some to swallow, it's gaining momentum across the country.

Doctor Kelleher says studies show kids get more empty calories from sugary drinks than from any other source.

Besides putting on extra weight, sugary drinks can also affect your teeth and lead to more cavities.

Doctor's advice is to stick to water or low fat milk and if you do buy soda, buy diet drinks in smaller cans.

Buying two liter bottles only encourages kids to drink more.

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