New Study Examines America’s Soda Crisis
Did you know that 22.5% of high schoolers in West Virginia drink more than two sodas a day? This is just one of many surprising statistics revealed in a new study by PARequirements. The team used the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey data to create the map and data tables. The CDC survey tracked behavior for seven days and asked children to answer in one of three ways each day: drank more than two sodas, drank one soda, or did not drink soda today. The results show eye-opening numbers on how much soda American children drink and where. The study included 42 states. The states left out were excluded for insufficient data to make sure a fair representation was portrayed on the map. These states had the highest soda consumption: • West Virginia • Kentucky • Mississippi • Arkansas • Alabama • Tennessee • Louisiana • Oklahoma • South Dakota • North Carolina And these ten states had the lowest soda consumption: • Utah • Montana • Michigan • Maryland • Hawaii • Connecticut • Rhode Island • New York • New Jersey • New Hampshire • Massachusetts Studies like this one are important because while soda is popular and a sweet, refreshing treat, it can be hazardous for health in many ways, especially for children. Soda is packed with added sugar, pumping calories into a body without any other nutrients. The effect makes people hungry for more calories than they really need. High soda consumption has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease, not to mention dental disease, sugar addiction, and, especially in children, sleep disruption. We can draw some interesting conclusions from the data. Southern states dominate this list in terms of the highest soda consumption. Is this because many sodas were invented in the South and are more loved there? Or could there be a link between economic factors and beverage choice? What about urban versus rural soda consumption or food access disparities? This study is a great jumping-off point for more nutrition research.
