JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippians are among the top soda drinkers in the United States.
In a recent study by PARequirements, Mississippi teens consume soda at the third highest rate out of 42 states polled in the country. The study was based upon data from CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Eight states were left off due to insufficient or outdated responses.
According to statistics from the ranking, 17.1% of Mississippi high schoolers reported drinking two or more sodas per day, with 24.5% drinking at least one per day and 23.7% report not drinking them at all. This is higher than the U.S. average, with the polls showing 8.5% drink two or more per day, 14.7% report having at least one per day, and 31% reporting they don’t drink any.
This is significant, as it is no secret the obesity problem Mississippians struggle with. According to another study showing obesity percentages, Mississippi is the fifth highest for obesity with 39.1% of the population reported as obese. An average 12-ounce soda can contain around seven and 10 teaspoons of sugar, amounting to 150-200 calories from this alone. High soda consumption is linked to obesity which can cause other health issues like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease.
A recent policy change presented by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may lead to a lowering of this number. RFK has announced he plans to cut off SNAP from being used for soda. This will heavily affect many families from accessing the fizzy drinks, as 18% of Mississippians were reportedly receiving food stamps in the state.
For parents looking to help their teen drink less sodas per day, experts at Columbia University recommend trying to understand what they may like about their soda of choice. Knowing whether it is the caffeine, sweetness, coldness, or fizziness of the drinks that makes them crave more can help to understand how to better crack down on their intake.
“Knowing what draws you to soda is key,” explains Jamie Leskowitz, RD, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at Columbia’s Metabolic and Weight Control Center. “If it’s the caffeine, switching to an unsweetened iced tea or black coffee might help. A flavored seltzer can be a great substitute if you prefer the fizz or flavor. Becoming aware of your habits and understanding your reason makes it much easier to find an alternative you’ll enjoy.”
A good way to start would be by replacing just one soda daily with a healthier, lower-calorie, lower-sugar beverage, gradually reduce the sweetness level by adding ice in order to water down soda, or alternating with water or seltzer.
“The colder the drink, the more satisfying it may feel,” Leskowitz said. “Some people associate soda with an ice-cold refreshment, but you can have that experience without the sugar.”
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
