Something is missing on Natomas Unified School District’s campuses that makes it harder to satisfy a sweet tooth: soda and candy vending machines. A 2005 California Health Interview Survey showed that 62 percent of teens consume 39 pounds of sugar each year from soft drinks alone. The research showed that counties with the highest obesity rates had the highest rates of soda consumption. One Natomas Unified School District parent, Heather Reed, said she “agrees 100% with the district’s ban on soda machines” and believes there is a link between adolescent obesity and soda consumption. Reed is in a unique position; not only is her daughter an eighth grader at Leroy Greene Middle School, bu

I completely agree, parents and schools are pivotal influences in child nutrition and they have to work together for real progress to be achieved. Moderation is the best lesson kids can learn. I also think the school board shouldn't be too heavy-handed in applying their principles and parents should absolutely have the ultimate say in what their kids drink or don't drink.

Thanks to everyone for commenting. I'm so glad to see that where the schools leave off on academic nutrition, parents pick up at home with their kids. The childhood obesity epidemic in California is finally getting awareness so I can only hope that more proactive measures will be adopted in the future.

Thanks to everyone who commented!! I'm curious, if you're a parent, do you let your kids have soda?

Supremely well-written! Awesome look at the Zine culture. I'm suddenly inspired to start my own Zine....