Feasibility Report
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annotated-Project20320TopicApprovalProposalCheng20Gao20Zheng.docx.pdf
Zhiwen Cheng, Tianxi Gao, Yuzhe Zheng
ENGL 202D: Business Writing
Project 3: Topic Proposal
Due Date: October 13, 2017
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Project #3: Proposal to Reduce Soda Consumption at Penn State To: Dr. Brodie Submitted by
Zhiwen Cheng, Tianxi Gao, Yuzhe Zheng
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Soda Consumption at Penn State Zhiwen Cheng, Tianxi Gao, Yuzhe Zheng
Executive Summary
Today, carbonate drinks with high sugar are accessible to Penn State students. Although people know it is unhealthy they still consume carbonate drinks with meals. Thus, more and more people are becoming unhealthy, and this will make people’s overall life shorten. High consumption on carbonate drinks may lead the consequence of diabetes. Diabetes will make people lose eye-sight, consume muscles and many negative impacts on human health. To help people maintain a healthier life, the actions that reduce supplies of carbonate drinks within any campus of Penn State and to replace it with bottled water is absolutely needed. In order to approach the goal, it is necessary to regulate and downsize the cup size at the campus dining hall, and recommend all fast food and drink provider to use same reduced size cup. It is efficient to limit soda supplies in vending machine as well as increase students’ awareness of daily calorie intake. Limit free soda giveaway during events and cancel meal plan discount on soda are possible actions that help reduce soda consumption as well. By applying these regulating method, students will tend to drink less amount and intake less sugar. Less sugar intake will decrease blood sugar, and hence it will keep people heathier.
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Table of Contents
List of Tables or Charts
Table I: Population at Penn State 9
Table II: Schedule of Activities and Budget 11
List of Figures
Figure I: Carbonate Drinks Banned Zone 2
Figure II: Mean Kilocalories from Sugar Drinks for Ages 2 and Over 9
Introduction 8
Background of the Problem or Issue 7
Statement of the Known Problem or Potential Issue 7
Description of the Solution or Proposed Research 8
Researcher Qualifications 10
Explanation of Reasons 8
Schedule of Activities and Budget 11
Conclusion 11
References 12
Appendixes 13
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Table I: Population at Penn State 9
Table II: Schedule of Activities and Budget 11
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Figure I: Carbonate Drinks Banned Zone 2
Figure II: Mean Kilocalories from Sugar Drinks for Ages 2 and Over 9
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Introduction Today, there are large amount of sugar in every brand of soda product, and many people
like to have carbonate drinks when having meals. It makes people feel great when they drink more and more cans of soda. To help people become healthier and spend less money in future medical situation reducing people’s daily soda consumption will be the most efficient method to approach. The project is a multiphase project and this is a proposal to request fund for phase one. The project will collect data about students’ choice on carbonate drinks by distributing survey (See appendix A). It is necessary to have an interview with the broad of Penn State to talk about reducing cup size in campus dinning and recommend food providers in the student union building to use single smaller size cup for all sizes of meals (See appendix B). In addition to reduce cup size like “soda ban”, reduce or cancel meal plan discount on soda when buying in school’s convenience store and recommending bottle water as Penn State official recommended lunch and dinner drink. The purpose of this research is to identify the effects of soda intake on the health of Penn State’s students and analyze how downsizing cups can reduce soda consumption among the students.
Background of the Known Problem In many people’s daily life, seat is a common situation. Standing, running, exercising
become rare situations. This makes people lack of exercise and people need to consume less calories so that they do not gain extra weight. However, under the circumstance of trying to save money and save time, people are more likely to buy fast food instead of healthier meals which is more expensive in general. The impact of eating fast food in a long run can be resulted in body weight. And this will cause psychological and physical consequence. According to bureau of statistics, two out of three adults and one out of three children in the United States are overweight. The nation spends an estimated $190 billion a year to deal with obesity-related health issues. Actions must be done to solve the problem. Most of these physical situations are related to the rapid raised consumption of carbonated drinks. Regularly, a can of 600 ml soda contains up to 100 ml of sugar which is equal to about 300 calories. A 64-ounce fountain cola drink could have up to 700 calories. According to a public survey, nearly forty eight percent of North American people drink 2.6 percent glasses of soda every day. If considering a cup of soda in size of a fast-food-medium-cup, nearly half of North American people intake about 114.4 grams of sugar per day, which is equal to about 443 calories or energy provided by 64 grams. Then, a week later, there will be additional 448 grams of body fat either floating in the blood as blood fat, or forming concrete fat on abdomen area. This will highly increase the percentage of having many diseases like, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and other significant health problem. People existed with above health conditions may find their health condition worsen if they drink more soda. Soda is literally liquid candy. When people are drinking liquid candy in a certain amount, they will not feel as full as they eat same amount of solid food. Many people drink soda as if they are drinking water. This is a very urgent problem.
Statement of the Known Problem or Potential Issue Students at Penn State have made it a habit of drinking Soda along with their lunch or at
other times. However, soda consumption has numerous adverse health effects that the students must look out for. Research indicates that sodas are associated with health problems such as excess body weight, high-calorie intake, and diabetes among others. It is quite clear that the students at Penn State have little to no idea about the health effects of soda, which explains why
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the soda intake at the school continues to increase. It is suggested that downsizing the cup size could help reduce the soda intake among the students.
Description of the Solution or Proposed Research The primary solution aimed towards the reduction of the student’s calorie intake involves
reducing g the size of the cups available at the dining halls. The rationale behind this solution is that with a smaller cup, smaller quantities of these soft drinks will be taken, which translates to lower calorie intake (O'Neill, & Ensle, 2006). It is almost next to impossible to stop students from taking sodas entirely, which makes this solution the most favorable. Often, students ensure that the finish the soda that they get in the cups at the dining hall since they would not throw it away and have it go to waste. Therefore, having the soda served in smaller cups is the best go-to option, as it will limit the amount of soda one can have at go. Moreover, the idea is not to completely deny the students the privilege of taking sodas, but instead, it is to ensure that they take a limited amount, preventing them from suffering from the myriad of health conditions resulting from high soda intake.
Portion control is one of the best solutions that are adopted towards tackling health problems such as obesity. It is already established that the students at this university have a high possibility of suffering from obesity due to regular soda intake. However, to prevent the problem from getting out of control, it is best to reduce the size of the cups that are available. Researchers have already established that making the default cup size for this drink that is high in sugar levels will help reduce the amount of calorie intake at a single time (Verghese, Lewis, & Fitzpatrick, 2012). Moreover, the strategy works best is the larger cups are eliminated from the dining halls, making it impossible for the students to have access to the big cups. Therefore, the Penn State Students will have no problem but to comply with the use of smaller cups.
Furthermore, taking a single serving of soda creates the notion that one has had enough and that their stomach is full. However, this idea is not restricted by the size of the cup because the student is still able to finish a large cup of soda. Therefore, with the smaller cups, the students will take one serving which creates the idea that they already hard enough soda and cannot take any more. Moreover, Penn State’s students find consuming one large cup of soda less shameful than drinking one small cup and going for an additional round. Downsizing the cup will help reduce the amount of soda taken alongside meals, by playing it the student’s psychology (O'Neill, & Ensle, 2006). Moreover, purchasing two small cups of soda will be more expensive than buying one big cup. However, the unavailability of the bug cup will force them to consume only one small cup. In addition, it is hoped that the smaller cups will discourage the students from taking the soda. Students often weigh their options when it comes to the meals that they have available. For example, if a larger cup is available for other drinks such as milk or coffee, then the students will find it more economical to consume the drink served in large cups rather than a small cup of soda.
Explanation of reasons According to Vartanian, Schwartz, & Brownell (2011), excessive soda consumption is
associated with weight increase problems. Sodas have a high concentration of sugar, which is turned into fat after consumption. Moreover, the liquid sugar found in the soda does not make them full, meaning that they must consume other foods alongside their soda. Therefore, at the end of a single meal, the students that take soda have 17% higher calorie intake than those that do not take soda. Research by CDC indicated that the youths between the age of 12 and 19 and young adults between 20 and 39 represent the highest calories intake from sugar drinks with
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males having a higher consumption than the females. In Penn State the majority of the population is aged between 10 and 34 years implying that the students who are in the middle of this age group are the highest soda drinkers.
Number Percent Total population 12,281,054 100.0
SEX AND AGE Male 5,929,663 48.3 Female 6,351,391 51.7 Under 5 years 727,804 5.9 5 to 9 years 827,945 6.7 10 to 14 years 863,849 7.0 15 to 19 years 850,986 6.9 20 to 24 years 746,086 6.1 25 to 34 years 1,560,486 12.7 35 to 44 years 1,948,076 15.9 45 to 54 years 1,705,032 13.9 55 to 59 years 619,969 5.0 60 to 64 years 511,656 4.2 65 to 74 years 969,272 7.9 75 to 84 years 712,326 5.8 85 years and over 237,567 1.9
The New York “soda ban” also have significant effect in reducing sugary drink consumption and helped people save tremendous amount of medical bill indirectly. The soda ban
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reduced 6 percent 18+ adults who consume 1 or more sugary drink per day to drink less. Since there is about 8.54 million people lives in the New York City, 6 percent of adults means about 250,000 adults saved money on their medical bill. These people will have a healthier body and they have less pressure in paying all kinds of bills. Furthermore, people who drink less carbonated soda will gain success in academic and career, because less sugar intake will decrease intensity of anxiety and impatient. A healthy body can accompany people to the mountain top, not diseased body.
Another effect of soda consumption to the health of these students is that it increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Soda causes insulin resistance, making it difficult for the glucose in the bloodstream to be released into the body cells. Therefore, the pancreas is forced to produce more insulin, increasing the levels of this chemical in the blood. The continuous insulin resistance arising from high levels of soda intake causes stress on the pancreas, which makes it difficult to the pancreas to continue supplying the blood with insulin. Moreover, there is a high likelihood that the students are Penn State suffer from metabolic syndrome. The condition results from a change in the metabolic activity if the body, such as insulin release, usually arising from high sugar levels in the body. Deficiency of insulin in the bloodstream is said to be a stepping-stone toward the development type 2 diabetes (Malik, et al., 2010). What is more, is that the metabolic syndrome could also result in other problems such as heart failure if the students do not take caution and reduce their consumption of soda.
The dental health of Penn State’s students is also negatively affected by soda consumption. One of the effects is the erosion of the dental enamel. Research shows that soda has a high acid level, with a pH averaging at 2.5 (Daniel et al., 2008). This acid corrodes the enamel, reducing its natural hardness. The second effect of the soda to teeth is that the acid also affects the dentin, as well as the composite filings. Many of the students at Penn State experience toothaches, which are a consequence of the damaged enamel from the soda intake. In worst cases, visible tooth decay may be experienced. The effect of soda on teeth mostly occurs because the students have a habit of taking more than one soda on a single day or one soda on a daily basis. They also prefer to sip the soda rather than take it quickly, which gives the soda more time to damage their teeth.
Researcher Qualifications We, as the research group for the project, are all college students who are properly
trained with skills to collect data from different sources. We are confident about using internet and other computer programs to categorize and analyze the data. We have no problem speaking to officer in Housing and Food Administration to state our concerns. To find information about the problem in documents is not challenging for us. So, we are qualified to perform the research process.
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Schedule of Activities and Budget Date Activities Budget
Jan. 1st 2018 1. Officially inform food provider at the hub to recommend reduce cup size and preparing to reduce cup size in campus dinning. (There will be 0.5 dollar subsidy on each “reduced meal”, and up to 1,000 meals per day total in first 100 days, shown as discount on meal)
2. Campus dinning will start this on Mar.1st 2018, notices will be posted prior that day.
0.5 * 1,000 * 100 = 50,000 dollars in meal subsidy.
Feb. 1st 2018 1. There will be signs, posters and necessary advertisement on radio or google ads. Starting to do propaganda.
10,000 dollars making posters and ads
Mar.1st 2018 1. Campus dinning implementing reduce cup size and limits amount soda provided per access.
10,000 dollars in purchasing new dinning ware.
Jun. 1st 2018 1. Starting on next Jun. 1st, ranking 3rd party food providers in hub by amount of larger cup size number sold in last year, least provider will receive a check of 10000 dollar as bonus. This activity will last 5 years.
5*10,000 dollars = 50000 dollars in bonus.
Jan. 1st 2019 1. Evaluation on the project Remaining of 30,000 will be emergency petty cash.
Conclusion Soda intake at Penn State is a huge problem, mainly because the students are exposed to
different health problems arising from high consumption of this sugary drink. Some of the possible health problems associated with high soda intake include increased calorie intake, obesity, insulin resistance, Tooth decay, and type 2 diabetes. However, the best solution suggested for dealing with this issue includes reducing the cup size available at the Penn State’s dining halls. Consequently, the students will have lower amounts of soda served to them, which reduces their calorie intake.
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References
Daniel, S. J., Harfst, S. A., Wilder, R. S., Francis, B., & Mitchell, S. (2008). Mosby's dental hygiene: concepts, cases, and competencies (pp. 757-760). St Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
Generic. “Soda.” FatSecret, Fatsecret, 7 Oct. 2017, www.fatsecret.com/calories- nutrition/generic/soda.
Harvard. “Soft Drinks and Disease.” The Nutrition Source, Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, 17 Mar. 2016, www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/soft-drinks- and-disease/.
Kansagra, Susan M., et al. “Reducing Sugary Drink Consumption: New York City’s Approach.” American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, Apr. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4358191/.
Kelly, Paul M., et al. “Obesity Prevention in a City State: Lessons from New York City during the Bloomberg Administration.” Frontiers in Public Health, Frontiers Media S.A., 30 Mar. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4812825/.
Malik, V. S., Popkin, B. M., Bray, G. A., Després, J. P., Willett, W. C., & Hu, F. B. (2010). Sugar-sweetened beverages and risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes care, 33(11), 2477-2483.
O'Neill, B. M., & Ensle, K. (2006). Small steps to health and wealth (Vol. 182). Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service, Cooperative Extension.
Team, Wellness. “Do You Drink Soda Every Day?” Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 17 July 2015, health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/03/soda-do-you-drink-it- every-day/.
Vartanian, L. R., Schwartz, M. B., & Brownell, K. D. (2011). Effects of soft drink consumption on nutrition and health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American journal of public health.
Verghese, K., Lewis, H. & Fitzpatrick, L. (2012). Packaging for sustainability. London New York: Springer.
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APPENDIX A: Survey About Soda Consumption
1. Are you involved in any sports teams? Yes No
2. On average, how many bottles/cans of soda do you consume each week? None 1-2 cans/bottles 3-4 cans/bottles 5+ cans/bottles
3. Why do you chose to drink soda? Because it taste good Because if gives you an energy boost Because your friends drink it Because you have for your entire life I do not drink soda
4. Typically, what is the sugary drink that you drink the most? Coca-Cola Pepsi Diet Sodas Gatorade/sports drinks Juices
5. When do you typically drink soda during the day? Morning Afternoon Night Only with meals (like lunch and dinner) I do not drink soda
6. Do you ever feel sluggish after drinking soda/sugary drinks? Yes, very much so Yes, but only a little No, just occasionally No, never
7. If you drink soda very often, do you ever feel worse after not having soda for a long period of time?
Yes I do No I do not I do not drink soda
8. Do you prefer diet soda over regular soda? Yes No I do not drink soda
9. If you choose diet soda over regular soda, why? Because it taste better
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Because it has less sugar Because it is a healthier choice I do not drink soda
10. Are you male or female? Male Female
11. What part of the day do you usually drink energy drinks? I don't drink energy drinks Morning to get me going Morning and afternoon to help me get through the day All day long - can't function without them
12. The rate at which I drink one bottle/can of energy drink or soda is: All at once for that quick energy burst Over a period of about 30 minutes Over a period of about 1-2 hours I sip on one all day long
13. When I drink an energy drink I: Not applicable Use a straw Drink it straight from the bottle or can Mix it with other beverages
14. When I finish an energy drink I: Not applicable I finish it, then rinse my mouth and/or brush my teeth I finish it, then I go about my day and don't think about it I get another one Other (please specify)
15. Energy drinks give me energy I need for my day: Not at all/not applicable Somewhat Most of the time Always
16. Energy drinks give me energy for my activities: Not at all/not applicable Somewhat Most of the time Always
17. Energy drinks are easily accessible to me: Not at all Not easily, but I can find them Most of the time I can get one Always, I can easily get one
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18. The price of energy drinks makes them attractive to me: Not at all/not applicable Somewhat Most of the time Always
19. Are energy drinks the main source of liquids that you consume? No, I don't drink them at all No, I drink them occasionally, but they are not the main beverage in my diet Yes, but I also drink other beverages Yes, they are the only liquid I consume
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APPENDIX B: Interview Request Letter
Tianxi Gao Soda Consumption Project Team 332 College St. State College, PA 16803
October 13, 2017
Housing and Food Services Services Road University Park, PA 16802
Dear Housing and Food Administration,
We are students from English 202D class, and we are doing a project about soda consumption at Penn State now. Based on our research, we think carbonate drinks prevent people from being healthy, and it is necessary to reduce the soda consumption at Penn State by limiting the cup size offered in campus food service.
We want to make request for an interview to talk to people from Housing and Food Administration about our project in details. Please contact us about the scheduling by email.
Thank you for supporting our project.
Sincerely, Tianxi Gao [email protected]
