A new UBC study is sounding the alarm about availability of sugary drinks in B.C. schools.
The study suggests students in schools where sugary drinks were available consumed them more often and were more likely to be obese.
A 2008 survey that polled 11,000 B.C. students indicates sugary drinks increased the odds of obesity more than foods like pizza, French fries, chips and candies.
The study points out that boys were more likely to consume sugar-sweetened beverages than girls.
They also found that adolescents from more disadvantaged neighborhoods consumed more sugar-sweetened beverages.
READ MORE: How much sugar should you be eating? How to follow WHO’s guidelines
Study authors says their work provides further evidence to support the important role of schools in shaping adolescents’ dietary habits.
The study says children consume roughly 35-47 per cent of their daily dietary intake while at school.
Unlike the US, Canada does not have a national breakfast or school lunch program that is subsidized by the federal government, and 2005 was the first year when guidelines to regulate the school food environment were written in B.C., but full implementation was only expected in 2008.
Researchers say creating school environments that are more conducive to healthy eating and implementing a comprehensive approach that includes all of the environments in which adolescents spend their time will likely provide the greatest benefit in supporting healthy food choices and healthy weights.
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