Louisville has declared September to become “Sugary Drink-Free” and residents are asked to cut down on sugary drinks for the duration of.
Participants will receive weekly emailed information and tips, as well as reminders. They are entered for a chance to win a prize of a SodaStream as well as a Hydro Flask, and will be invited to a party at the Waterloo at the end of the month.
The Healthy Louisville Kids coalition is an association of people, businesses and organizations committed to promoting children’s health in Louisville. The coalition’s members include Boulder County Public Health, Clinica, Dental Aid, Community Food Share, Moxie Bread Company, The Chef Ann Foundation along with other local organizations.
The coalition is focused on reducing the consumption of drinks that are sugary such as the energy drinks, soda, and sports drinks because they are the number one contributor to added sugars in the American diet and are a major contributor to chronic diseases for children and adults.
“Obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease are not just affecting Colorado adults but our young people too, and high fructose and added sugar in our food and drinks are a major culprit,” said coalition member Dr. Seth Kramer, a Louisville physician. “Prevention is key in decreasing the rates of chronic disease.”
The children who drink at the most one sweet drink every day are about 30% less likely to have a heart attack, 26% more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, and 55% more likely to have an excess weight or obesity.
“Sugary drinks are a major factor that contribute to unhealthy weight and chronic disease,” stated Lexi Nolen, Boulder County Public Health Interim Executive Director. “Efforts like this one that encourage people to replace sugary drinks with tasty, healthier options are important to our community’s health and are especially important for children.”
A quarter (26.6%) of Boulder County children ages 5-14 years old are overweight or obese increasing by 43% in the last year. In addition, youth of Latino/Hispanic origin are significantly affected with 28 percent of high school Latino/Hispanic students overweight or obese in comparison to 9.7% of students in white high schools. This is the result of targeted marketing by the drinks industry.
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