The soft drink industry recognizes the need for children and adults to consume a wide variety of beverages, including milk, water, juices and sport drinks. And yes, there is room in that mix for soft drinks. While there are many societal reasons for the increase in the incidence of obesity, an initial solution is a renewed commitment to daily physical activity and eating a varied, moderate and balanced diet in which there is a place for all foods.
Physical activity plays a key role in disease prevention.
In addition to helping maintain healthy weight, physical activity reduces the risks of heart disease, diabetes, etc. Current physical activity levels among children and adults are inadequate, contributing to an unacceptable increase in obesity rates. Our schools must play a significant role in helping to teach physical activity skills and attitudes that can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, many schools are not providing daily physical education for today's students. However, only about 25 percent of students attend physical education class daily or participate in any daily physical activity, while the percentage of children who are overweight or obese has more than doubled in the last 30 years.