Many parents, schools and administrators are posing a significant question due to the
increasing rates of obesity in children in today’s society. Should schools ban sugary snacks
and drinks? This question has become a volatile but passionate argument to many across
our nation. Several jurisdictions have placed a ban on sugary snacks and drinks but did not
factor in the reduction that would be made in decreased revenue from fundraisers and
vending machine due to decreased consumption by the students. As a result of this
argument I would like to see changes made that would induce positive changes to the
increasing rates of obesity without taking away all sugary snacks and drinks during school
hours all day, every day. This solution will ascertain some lost profits as well as provide
primarily nutritional choices for students. Some may want to solve the problem by
removing all sugary snacks and drinks not only from school but also store shelves totally.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2012 more than
one-third of children or adolescents were obese or overweight (Center for Disease Control
and Prevention 2015). Valerie Bassett, director of the Massachusetts Public Health
Association, who pushed for stronger regulations states, “Helping children to develop taste
for healthy foods will give them good eating habits as they grow older (Kaiser 2011). In
Massachusetts, the Public Health Council, banned foods with artificial sweeteners, trans
fats and caffeine from schools’ vending machines, fund raisers, events and a la carte lines.
These regulations are some of the most stringent in the United States. Many administrators
