To the Editor: In 2007, the sale of sugar-sweetened drinks was banned in New South Wales government schools.1 The ban followed growing evidence linking soft drinks with obesity, and findings from the 2004 NSW Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS) that almost 60% of boys and around 40% of girls reported drinking a cup (250 mL) or more of soft drink per day.2 Using the most recent SPANS data, collected in 2010, we explored whether soft drink consumption is associated with obesity among school students.3
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- 1. New South Wales Department of Education and Training. Sugar sweetened drink ban for NSW schools. http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/schoolsweb/studentsupport/studentwellbeing/schoolcanteen/softdrink_flyer.pdf (accessed Jan 2012).
- 2. Booth M, Okely AD, Denney-Wilson E, et al. NSW Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS) 2004: full report. Sydney: NSW Department of Health, 2006. http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2006/spans_full.html (accessed Jan 2012).
- 3. Hardy LL, King L, Espinel P, et al. NSW Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS) 2010: full report. Sydney, NSW Ministry of Health, 2011. http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2011/spans_full.html (accessed Jan 2012).
- 4. Hardy LL, King L, Espinel P, et al. Methods of the NSW Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey 2010 (SPANS 2010). J Sci Med Sport 2011; 14: 390-396.
- 5. Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: international survey. BMJ 2000; 320: 1240-1243.
This study was funded by NSW Health. Tracie Reinten-Reynolds was employed by the NSW Ministry of Health on the NSW Biostatistical Officer Training Program at the time this work was undertaken. We are grateful for the support and cooperation of the government, Catholic and independent education systems and the participating schools and students.
No relevant disclosures.