by Emily Moore | Editor in Chief – Opinion

Ah, America. Land of the free, the brave, and the well, not so small population.

We have, as a country, sat back and let the McDonald’s and the Coca-Cola mindsets rule our country for far too long. Yet, alas, we are finally striking back.

More specifically, New York is finally striking back.

A sixteen-ounce limit has been set for the distribution of sugar saturated drinks in the New York City area. Sodas are also being banned from several restaurants, food carts, and sports games.

While, yes, this ban is technically not in effect until March, New York is still doing their part to battle back against the statistics of obesity in America. With more than half of adults, and one in five kindergarten students, currently tipping the scales, more states should roll back on their saturated sodas as well.

Some see this as a breach of privacy, and a government attempt at controlling the population; others think soda is being singled out as the only factor to our ever-growing nation. The truth is that without government intervention, and without a simple step forward to battle back this growing obesity rate, nothing would change. People would continue to be under-educated about what a true, healthy portion size is, and would continue to binge and over-treat themselves as much as they already do.

Despite the Board of Health’s best efforts, liter size (and bigger) drinks will still be available in super markets, and most convenience stores; therefore symbolizing American dependence on sugary pick-me-ups and saturated vices.

Yes, soda is not the sole source of obesity in this country, but banning it is one large step toward weening the country off of its sugar and calorie-loaded high.