Posted on 09/15/2005 3:12:16 PM PDT by calcowgirl
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept 15 (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation on Thursday to ban carbonated soda in state high schools as part of an effort to stem teen obesity.
"California is facing an obesity epidemic," said Schwarzenegger, a former Mr. Olympia and longtime health advocate. "Today we are taking some first steps in creating a healthy future for California."
He signed the legislation at the start of a daylong summit on health and obesity in the California capital Sacramento. He said that one out of three children in California, the nation's most populous state, is obese.
"Obesity-related health problems cost us $28 billion a year," Schwarzenegger said. "We are going to terminate obesity in California once and for all."
The new law allows milk, drinks with at least 50 percent fruit or vegetable juice and drinking water without sweetener. It would be phased in from 2007 and take full effect in 2009.
The ban, already in existence in California's elementary schools, will cost school districts hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost income.
At present, soda is sold through vending machines and cafeterias in most California public high schools.
Another bill signed by Schwarzenegger on Thursday would boost spending on fruits and vegetables in school meals.
Arnold you showed hope with the gay marriage veto but now this?
How did we survive with only milk and water?
He's trying to re-establish his Lib-cred.
Hopefully this will help cut down on Type 2 diabetes for those children later in their lives.
Or other non-essentials...like computers, electricity, inside plumbing, markets, etc...etc...etc...
Oh! I get it! It's all "for the children!"...after they've become...uhh...adults.
Okayyyyy...next!
What about the lunchrooms serving fries, pizza, and cheeseburgers every day? Arnold must not be worried about the fat content.
If this just prevents the schools from selling sodas, rather than preventing students from bringing them, I don't see anything wrong with it. The article doesn't make it clear what the bill does.
LOL! The high-carb fruit drinks that will replace the sodas aren't going to help the obesity problem one bit.
Big Deal, By the time they reach High School they can leave the school to buy burgers at the local mcdonald (Or which ever store is nearby)
I still have mixed emotions about Arnold but I will say that I'm getting tired of his constantly making references to his movies every time he speaks publicly.
I wish he would stop making all the references to the "Terminator" movies. These statements sound cheesy and stupid.
I suppose they don't have diet soda in Cali?
I wouldn't worry about that, the stuff served in school cafeterias hardly resembles food.
It will not help one iota on Diabetes 2. Think of all the other foods that contain WAY more sugar than a soft drink that is consumed. Stupid...trying to put all the blame on soda, when it is lack of exercise, other foods, and portion control. Think back to the days when we did not even have diet soda...
I think it is a start, I work with kids and you should see the junk they eat, when healthy food is just down the hall. Some these kids are fat, and lazy. A twenty ounce soda holds about 250 calories at the most plus a couple bags of chips, candy bars, plus no real physical exercise to burn the loads of calories off. If they eat this at school just think what they eat at home. Video games, playstation, gameboy, real exercize? It may seem odd, but I am all for taking junk food out of schools. Yeah, my mind is warped too. I just wanted to say it before you did.
Wow! GMTA! and about 30 seconds apart too... :)
What High Schoolers need is a healthy education from Weight Watchers.
But he's a Republican.
Everything you say is accurate.
But is it the government's job to regulate diet? I say not.
Reagan never did that.
Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Landmark Legislation to Combat Childhood Obesity
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 12 by Senator Martha Escutia (D- Montebello), SB 281 by Senator Abel Maldonado (R- San Luis Obispo) and SB 965 also by Senator Escutia at the Governor's Summit on Health, Nutrition and Obesity today in Sacramento.
"California is facing an obesity epidemic. That is why today I am signing into law the most progressive school nutrition reforms in the nation. This legislation will take junk food and sodas off the school campuses, and put more fruits and vegetables into school meals," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "This is a great victory for our children and I want to thank Senator Escutia and Senator Maldonado for authoring these landmark bills. Today we are taking some first steps in creating a healthy future for California. It is important that everyone --businesses leaders, community groups, health care providers, the public health community, parents and government -- rise to the challenge and join in this crucial fight."
This legislation ensures California's students will have access to healthier snacks, meals and beverages in public schools. Specifically:
In addition to actively working to put healthy food and drinks into California's public schools and ensure more students are physically active, Governor Schwarzenegger has also taken steps to encourage all Californians to live an active, healthy lifestyle. Today the Governor and First Lady Maria Shriver are hosting a first-of-its-kind Governor's Summit on Health, Nutrition and Obesity. Bringing together leaders and experts from the business, education, government and public health communities, the Summit will immediately produce results that will improve the health and physical fitness of Californians and help combat the state's obesity epidemic.
In addition, at the Summit, Governor Schwarzenegger's vision for a healthy California was unveiled and the Governor called upon his cabinet secretaries to implement new policies throughout his administration to create an environment that encourages the health and fitness of Californians.
Earlier this year, the Governor launched the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization designed to establish California as the nation's "Fitness State" by encouraging all Californians to meet their personal physical fitness and health goals. In addition, Governor Schwarzenegger is one of six United States governors serving on the National Governors Association's Healthy America Taskforce.
For additional information regarding the Governor's Summit on Health, Nutrition and Obesity visit www.governor.ca.gov. For additional information about the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports visit www.activeca.org. For additional information on the bills the Governor signed today click on the bill number in the first paragraph.
But is it regulating when it's just not making it available for them? Anyone on a diet knows that not having the junk food around in the first place is a good step to not eating it.
Again, those who can handle consuming sodas pay for those who cannot. Deprive the many for the sake of a few.
Nannifornia.
>>But is it the government's job to regulate diet? I say not.
Oh, yes it is........Stay tuned.
glad he wasn't governor when i was in high school... my standard breakfast was a can of COKE and a bag of Doritos...
Well, I suppose you're not the only warped mind, here. I think it's a smart move, too. Give the kids less opportunity to buy junk at school.
I don't necessarily see it as the government regulating our diet ~ the kids can always bring junk from home or buy junk on the way to school. I just don't think the school should be promoting and profiting from the encouragement of bad habits. JMHO, though, as a fellow warped mind. :o)
Please, name some. I'm curious what kind of food you are talking about.
...in name only.
Sponsored by the California country club pubbie GOP!

It is not the governments responsibility to regulate diet. Good parenting should be done by the parents, not government.
I was a little overzealous with my statements, but again, damned if you do, and damned if you don't. So there, I do agree with you
LOL. I'll have to learn to type a little more quickly!
Get lost, racist troll.
That didn't take long--these mods are GOOD!
what about fruit drinks--grape, apple... or sugared cereal? or stuff like POP TARTS, Fruit Roll Ups, Fruit by the Foot... i can't really think of many things because i don't buy this stuff, but these are the things i see other people's kids eat... (plus i'm not the one you asked in the first place... just had to add mis dos centavos)...
Yeah, but most parents aren't at high schools all day long to regulate their kid's diets. And what parent of a teenager doesn't think his kid could stand to eat healthier?
Lightning-quick zot.
You actually had breakfast?
Wimp.
It's not their job...but the Leftists (with the help of the Country Club Pubbie RINOs) are gleefully making it their job!
First they went after the guns...then they went after political incorrectness...then it was the cigarettes...now they're going after sodas...next it'll be going after anyone who hasn't had gay sex.
This really will benefit the students -- Now they'll sleep through what the teachers try to indoctrinate them with instead of drinking a Mountain Dew and staying wide awake from the caffeine.
Go back to DU, ya race-baiting jackwit.
Enterprising young students will merely fill up a cooler in the trunk of their car with Cokes and sell them for $1 each. Maybe $2.
What happens when you give children real food instead of empty calories and chemicals? Appleton Central Alternative High School in Wisconsin, an alternative program for at-risk youth in the public school district did just that and tracked the results in a long-range study. Theyve decided to ditch the grilled processed-cheese sandwiches and Jello for good. In 1997, a bakery called Natural Ovens underwrote a Wellness and Nutrition Program at the school. Out went the fast food; in came salads and fresh fruits, whole grain breads, and soups, stews, and entrees made from scratch. Out went the soda and vending machines; in came good drinking water.
The reports Principal LuAnn Coenen files with the State of Wisconsin reflect the results of this new lunch programdrop outs, expulsions, drug use, weapons brought to school, and suicides are all at zero. Now grades are up, truancy is no longer a problem, arguments are rare, and teachers are able to spend their time teaching, according to the Pure Facts newsletter. Teachers are happier because they can spend time teaching instead of disciplining or dealing with interruptions. Since the introduction of the food program, I have noticed an enormous difference in the behavior of my students in the classroom, said teacher Mary Bruyette. Theyre on task, they are attentive. They can concentrate for longer periods of time. Even their stamina, attitude, and health has increased from eating the food available at school. Students are happier because it is easier to concentrate in class and easier to get along with other students.
This program is being duplicated in other schools in the area with similar results. In many cases, the program pays for itself by eliminating the security guards necessary in the worst war-zone type schools. You can call it socialist or communist or whatever, but simple foods are the essential raw material of life and they are meant to be consumed in the form that God provided to us. A child's health should come secondary to a food giant's proclaimed right to feed your little ones the 4,500 chemicals, additives and frankenfoods that are added solely to increase consumption, addiction and their bottom line.
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