The right choice

If the world is struggling to cope with child malnutrition at one end, child obesity is the big battle at the rich end.

If the world is struggling to cope with child malnutrition at one end, child obesity is the big battle at the rich end. Schools in Delhi have allies in US state schools, where fizzy drinks have now been banned. Children in American public schools will no longer be able to buy non-diet sodas in school as per an agreement between soft drinks’ giants and anti-obesity advocates. In Delhi, soft drinks have managed to quietly move back on to the canteen shelf in many schools. But in the US, manufacturers plan to change the mix in their vending machines to offer less-fizzy options.

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Providing nutritious food to children is all very well but surely that piece of wisdom still holds, that what is denied is all the more attractive — more so for children? So if the kids get out of school and glug down their desired quota of carbonated water, who’s to stop them? Surveys have suggested that ale is healthier than soda — of course, in moderation. Parents around the world seem to have forsaken their right to teach children to make right choices — having handed over that duty to advertisers. Why aren’t kids influenced to exercise balance in consumption instead? Such bans spare schools the responsibility for child nutrition, but do they impact child health? Instead of crying out for industry self-regulation, kids could perhaps be taught to make healthy choices.

That said, not having access to soft drinks in school is likely to be celebrated as a giant step towards health. If, as planned, this is followed by a crackdown on junk food makers, then what we do see is an opportunity for desi-style snacks and drinks. How about a nimbu paani and idli meal combo? Fat chance? Wait and watch.