Bài đọc 1
A new study by researchers at the National Institute of Nutrition in Nordavia has warned that one in three children now starting secondary school in the country will be overweight by the age of 18 if current drinking habits continue.
The study, which followed 12,000 students for five years, found that three-quarters of teenagers drink at least one sugary soft drink every day. About half of those students drink three or more. On average, a single can contains the equivalent of eight teaspoons of sugar.
In 2015, around 18 percent of Nordavian teenagers were overweight. Researchers say that if nothing changes, that figure will almost double to 35 percent by 2030, creating what they call "a quiet crisis in children's health".
However, the lead researcher, Dr Elena Varga, said there was still reason for hope. "This is not about willpower alone," she said. "If water and milk are cheaper and easier to find than soft drinks, most young people will choose them. The habits children form at twelve often stay with them for life."
In many Nordavian towns, buying a soft drink after school has become part of daily routine. Groups of students gather outside small shops near the school gates, and sweet drinks are often cheaper than a bottle of water. For many families, offering a cold soft drink is also a sign of hospitality when guests visit.
Few parents seem to realise how much sugar their children consume. In the survey, only 30 percent of parents could correctly say how much sugar is in a standard can, and most thought fruit-flavoured drinks were a healthy choice.
The government has shown concern. Last year, several cities removed vending machines from school buildings. But efforts to introduce a national tax on sugary drinks have been slowed by opposition from manufacturers, who employ thousands of workers and argue that the tax would hurt poorer families most.
Doctors point out that the problem is not only about weight. Too much sugar also damages teeth and increases the risk of diabetes later in life.