The fizz flunks out: The nation's beverage makers agree to pull sugary and high-calorie drinks from school vending machines ; Move follows threat of suit as epidemic of obesity grows.

Byline: Liz F. Kay and John-John Williams IV

May 4--America's largest beverage makers pledged yesterday to stop selling their signature sodas and other high-sugar drinks in the nation's schools as part of an agreement with health care groups who allege that soft drinks contribute to an epidemic of childhood obesity.

The agreement permits only water, low-fat milk and unsweetened juice to be sold in elementary and middle schools - and only 8 ounces in elementary and 10 ounces in middle schools. High schools will have a little more leeway to stock as much as 12-ounce containers of juice, milk and sports drinks - but half the products must be low- or no-calorie. Diet soda is also permitted, as long as each serving is no more than 8 ounces. The announcement drew cautious praise from health care experts, who warn that the poor diets and expanding waistlines of American children have led to an increase in diabetes and may contribute to higher rates of heart attacks, strokes and other problems later in life. "This is a great step forward, but we're not done," said Margo Wootan, director of nutrition policy for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a…