Public policies should be implemented to discourage children from drinking sugary beverages, and why this is important.

However, the alarming reality lies in the fact that added sugar accounts for 17% of daily calories for most children and teenagers in America. Sugar is primarily found in sugary drinks like soda, sports beverages, flavored juices and energy drinks, rather than in snacks or desserts.

How come sugary drinks are so addictive?

Even though pediatricians have been warning about consumption for years, why hasn't there been a decline in the number? The difficulty in breaking habits, particularly those related to comfort or culture, is a common issue among humans. This is especially problematic. The systemic nature of sugary drinks is evident, as they are inexpensive, readily available, and heavily marketed towards children and teenagers.

Think about it. The corner store has a soda bottle that is less expensive than bottled water. Kids are bombarded with flashy commercials, cartoon characters, and sports stars drinking neon-huedas. These drinks are more readily available and less expensive than healthier options in many areas.

The result? Children bear the financial burden of a difficult life for parents.

What the Experts Recommend.

A joint statement in Pediatrics by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Association of Hematologists of the United States recognized the gravity of this crisis and proposed bold public policy changes. Systemic change is necessary to safeguard children, as they have stressed that families cannot be left alone.

Here are the main recommendations they make:

Tax the sale of sugary beverages.? Increasing the cost of these drinks, like cigarettes, results in decreased consumption. The augmented tax income could be utilized for healthcare initiatives, nutritional education programs, and community health initiatives.

Limit marketing to the youth demographic.'". It's immoral to target children with ads aimed at unhealthy products, and sugary drinks should be treated similarly to tobacco.

Change the defaults. In schools, restaurants, and vending machines, young people should choose water and milk over soda or juice with sugar. The harder it is to get, the less children will drink.

Reform federal nutrition programs. SNAP and other programs should discourage or limit the purchase of sugary beverages to prevent health problems that are caused by taxpayer-funded benefits. Why?

Set the standard in hospitals. By eliminating all sugary beverages, healthcare facilities can set a precedent for others to follow.

Mandate transparent warnings and labels. Like tobacco products, sugary drinks should have health disclaimers that are clear and unavoidable. Why? The knowledge of what is being put into children's bodies should not be disregarded by parents without possessing a nutrition degree.

Why Policy Change Matters.

This doesn't involve controlling every family's cooking. Our goal is to understand that the setting we've formulated, where the most inexpensive, flashy, and easily accessible drinks are the least beneficial for all, is not only against children but also against parents.

A preventable health crisis is taking place slowly as almost one in five children in the U.S. are obese and overweight. Why? If we acknowledge the significant impact of sugary drinks, why don't we employ all available resources to mitigate their effects?

At times, it is necessary to take action at the policy level to protect children, rather than just giving advice. It's evident that sugary beverages are at a high risk and the timing is right.