The negative impact of sugary drinks
Published:Wednesday | September 12, 2018 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
The headline in The Sunday Gleaner September 9, 2018, 'Sweet threat - school gate vendors could thwart sugary drinks ban', is cause for concern.
I think the negative impact of sugary drink cannot be underestimated and downsized to facilitate any group of vendors.
The harsh reality about these sugary drinks is that they create a stimulus for further usage. It seems to be a bit addictive and the students are drawn to it by the strong taste.
Principals, vice-principals, deans of discipline, guidance counsellors, and other persons of influence at schools must work to ensure that the best interests of the students are recognised.
The current rate of obesity is alarming and efforts to address this should be active and strong.
We will have to stem the tide and ensure that the young ones are protected from themselves. These drinks have little nutritional value, but are the preferred choice for youngsters who care little about their health.
Teachers and other stakeholders will have to work in tandem with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education to ensure that the confidence, dignity and pride of all school-aged children are preserved.
We, as adults, have a task upon our hands to reduce the rate of obesity among schoolchildren and put preventive measures in place to support a better and a much healthier school population.
We will have to play our cards right and make sure the nexus between us and the vendors at the school gates is an amiable one to ensure conformity. It is not right to force them into obscurity by using draconian measures to influence change from the preferred taste of the students.
Paris Taylor