ABC Discovers a New Gateway Drug for Kids: Caffeine
A new energy
drink for kids, KickStart Spark was treated as a gateway drug and as
bad as steroids on the September 26 ABC World News Tonight."
ABCs problem with the beverage was the amount of
caffeine it contained less than a cup of coffee. While the report
mentioned that children already consume a lot of caffeine from soft
drinks and chocolate, it exaggerated the danger and downplayed the
benefits of KickStart Spark.
Reporter Dan Harris began the story by linking the
drink to a major drug controversy. There's been growing concern
about the use of performance-enhancing substances by young people
since baseballs steroids scandals.
ABC then interviewed Einstein Medical College dietician
and nutritionist Keith Ayoob on the drink and heard his fears it
will lead to more hazardous behavior. He explained, It worries me
that first it starts out with caffeine, and then it goes on to other
things that could be even more dangerous. The report didnt explain
what would be worse.
If caffeine were a gateway drug, then this nation would
be in peril. The average American consumes 1.64 cups of coffee per
day. Fifteen percent of the average beverage consumption per person
was coffee and tea in 2004. Worldwide, more than 400 billion cups of
coffee are consumed every year.
No one who liked the drink or anyone from the company,
Advocare, was shown in the report. The companys Web site was
displayed on the screen, and quoted twice. The first time was a
simple statement of what the product does provides focused and
long-lasting energy that's just right for children. The second time
the companys statement was quickly refuted.
Advocare stated that KickStart Spark contains vitamins
and minerals essential for children's balanced nutrition. Harris
quickly responded that nutritionists say children can get those
vitamins without the caffeine, just by eating healthy foods. While
a true statement, no mention if getting vitamins and minerals with
caffeine is worse than no vitamins at all. According to
Advocares Web site, only 8% of children are getting all of the
daily recommended nutrients.
