New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced this week his aim to ban the sale of large, sugary drinks at restaurants, movie theaters, sports venues and street carts to help fight obesity.
Bloomberg is proposing a 16-ounce limit on high-calorie drinks sold by such vendors. Grocery and convenience stores would be exempt, as would diet sodas and milk-based products.
"It's not perfect, it's not the only answer, it's not the only cause of people being overweight, but we have got to do something, " he said.
Bloomberg has campaigned against obesity since becoming mayor. The city already banned trans fats in restaurant food and required chain restaurants to list calorie counts on menus. In 2010, Bloomberg supported a state tax on soda, a measure that failed in the legislature.
The New York Beverage Association characterized the mayor's latest effort as over the top.
A spokesman said, "The city is not going to address the obesity issue by attacking soda, because soda is not driving the obesity rates."
Quotes
MAN: Well, I don't think it's the mayor's job to decide what sort of soft drinks that people in Manhattan or anywhere in the world want to buy for that matter.
MAN: Overindulging is never a good thing, you know? Everything in moderation, I think that's a good idea to promote.
Warm Up Questions
1. What is nutrition?
2. Think about what you had to drink today. Was it nutritious?
3. What type of drinks do you suppose are high in sugar?
Discussion Questions
1. Do you agree that Mayor Bloomberg should regulate what N.Y.C residents should be drinking?
2. How might sugary drinks and obesity be related?
Additional Resources
Struggling with Obesity and Self Image
Michelle Obama’s Plan to End Childhood Obesity
