Increased carbonated soda consumption and decreased milk intake in children is a serious national nutritional problem. The purpose of this descriptive study on child health is to observe and describe dietary beverage consumption of children at fast food restaurants. A group of researchers surveyed the incidence of milk consumption by children at national food chains. Study one: In a six-week time frame, students observed peak meal times at three local fast food restaurants in a NW collegiate city. Observations were made anonymously as students tallied the number of milk cartons on children’s food trays and assessed the approximate age of the child. Of these 122 children, four consumed a chocolate milk derivative while one consumed whole milk. Of the observed population, 4.1% chose milk or a derivative milk product over a carbonated beverage. Study two: Study two involved two parts: Part A: Customers purchasing drinks in nine fast food restaurants (from noon to 2pm over a two week period) in three rural NW cities were observed to ascertain the number of children ingesting milk with their meals. Four hundred and fifty one individuals were observed of which only 12 purchased milk for their child (2%). All 12 purchased 2% milk. Four hundred and ten purchased soft drinks, 20 purchased coffee, and nine purchased water. Part B: Fifty parents were randomly selected to answer a 12 question survey concerning beverage consumption by their children. Forty six gave their children the choice of drink when at fast food restaurants, while four stated that they chose for their child. Fifteen stated that their child drinks 1-2 glasses of whole milk per day, while the remaining 35 stated that their children seldom drank whole, 2%, or low fat milk. Results indicate children do not consume milk at fast food restaurants and some seldom consume milk at home. Considering that studies have shown that in 2-5 year old girls, consuming an 8 ounce can of carbonated soda decreases the likelihood of achieving the RDA of calcium levels by 40% and that substituting 8 ounces of soda for 8 ounces of milk can increase the likelihood of NOT achieve calcium levels by 296%. It would appear that either parents are uneducated about the problem of calcium and the ingestion of milk at fast food restaurants or are ignoring the concerns about calcium uptake in their children.Keyword(s): disease prevention, health promotion, medical/medical care