Source: The Mercury, 3 April, 1997, p.3 Source: The Mercury, 3 April, 1997, p.3
AUSTRALIAN teenagers are turn- ing to soft drink to quench their thirst instead of milk or fruit juices, a study has revealed. It shows teens are 10 times more likely to buy soft drinks than orange juice even though they know the fruit drink is better for them. More than half of the teenagers questioned said their parents tried to influence and limit the type of drinks their children consumed. And 13% said they drank alcohol at least once a week - most of them in the home. But the Australasian Soft Drink Association dismissed the study as a marketing ploy and defended its product. "Soft drinks and sports drinks are an aid to liquid consumption and hydration and are an import- ant alternative to alcohol for teenagers," Tony Gentile, the group's chief executive officer, said. The Australian Horticultural Corporation study found the typi- cal teenager drank two soft drinks on the day before being inter- viewed. It found 70% bought soft drink, 21% bought sports drinks, 17% bought flavoured milk and 7% bought orange juice. Nutritionist Rosemary Stanton said youngsters were falling victim to marketing and fashion trends.
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Index - Chance and Basic Probability