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County campaign touts water over soda
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The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency is asking residents to make a pledge to put down the sugary drinks and pick up glasses of water instead.

The health services agency is promoting the “Rethink Your Drink” campaign as part of an ongoing effort to combat the diabetes and obesity epidemic growing across the country and in the county.

According to the recently published Public Health Report by the health services agency, 68.8 percent of adults and more than 30 percent of children in Stanislaus County are overweight or obese. Stanislaus County is ranked 47 out of 58 counties for diabetes death rates.

Sugary drinks are the single largest contributor of added sugars in our diet, accounting for 22 percent of the empty calories consumed by children and teens, the health services agency reported.  Drinking just one 20 oz. soda each day for a year is equal to nearly 95,000 calories and sixty pounds of sugar. In California, 62 percent of teens, 41 percent of children and 24 percent of adults drink one or more sugar drink per day.

“It is important that residents are aware of the high sugar content in the different types of beverages they drink especially during these hot summer months and that they are provided with the tools and resources to practice healthy behaviors,” stated Dr. John Walker, Stanislaus County Health Officer.

 

Healthy eating, such as the consumption of more fruits and vegetables, and decreasing the consumption of empty calorie foods, is an effective way to prevent diabetes and obesity. During this summer, families throughout Stanislaus County are encouraged to pledge to “Rethink Your Drink.”

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency and its partners will be educating the community and school children about sugar sweetened drinks which include soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, juices that are less than 100 percent juice, and flavored or enhanced vitamin waters, and providing information on how to choose alternative beverages such as water. By signing this pledge, residents are committing to better health by reducing and/or eliminating sugary sweetened drinks and taking charge in helping their children do the same.