Hold the Sugar Please

June 27, 2013

 

There's significant movement to curb children's consumption of sugar sweetened beverage, including the hard-hitting "Sugar Bites" campaign by First 5 Contra Costa County.  With studies showing that drinking just one or two sugary drinks a day increases a child's risk of obesity by 60% -- and risk of Type II diabetes by 25% - organizations are moving on a number of fronts to get people to "rethink their drink" and switch to water and milk. (Oh yeah, kids who consume sugary drinks experience more tooth decay too).

 

Carrots and Sticks

A recent California Field P0ll found that 68 percent of California voters would support a tax on sodas if the proceeds were earmarked for improved school nutrition and physical activity programs. But realizing that soda tax campaigns can be enormous and expensive undertakings, groups have begun other creative efforts to curb sugary drinks.

The Bay Area Nutrition and Physical Activity Collaborative(BANPAC) has a wide array of materials in English and Spanish to help inform communities, families and kids about the impact of sugar sweetened beverages. These includes posters, wall charts and tool kits available for download, along with links to related campaigns. It's all on BANPAC's "Rethink your Drink Materials" page.

First 5 Santa Clara County's "Potter the Otter Loves Water" campaign is offering the chance to win a free iPad2 and other prizes to anyone who takes the pledge to drink water between now and July 24, 2013.  All children and families are welcome to participate.  Let others know to take the pledge to drink water and enter for a chance to win! It is open to everyone.  

County-wide Effort on the Way?

And last but not least, the Alameda County Health Services Agency (HCSA) Public Health Department has commissioned a report on the health and economic impacts of obesity on the population of Alameda County, including the role of sugar sweetened beverages.  The report will also provide recommendations for county leadership and elected officials to mitigate the impacts, and identify possible prevention measures including environmental, institutional and public policy recommendations. First 5 Alameda County is a partner in this project.

 

Word is out: Rethink Your Drink. Sugar Bites. Drink Water.  It's all happening now. 
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