New York State In-depth

{Mountain State|Colorado|| Community calls for moratorium on Coke for September

Louisville has proclaimed September to as “Sugary Drink-Free” and residents are being asked to quit drinking sugary beverages for the entire month.

Participants receive weekly emails with information and tips, as well as reminders. They and are eligible for a chance to win a prize of a SodaStream or Hydro Flask. They will also be invited to a party at the Waterloo in the middle of each 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 comprise Boulder County Public Health, Clinica, Dental Aid, Community Food Share, Moxie Bread Company, The Chef Ann Foundation as well as various other local groups.

The Coalition will focus on decreasing the drinking of sweet drinks such as energy drinks, sodas, and sports drinks because these beverages are the number one contributor to added sugars in the American diet and are a major contributor to chronic disease for children and adults alike.

“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,” stated coalition members Dr. Seth Kramer, a Louisville physician. “Prevention is key in decreasing the rates of chronic disease.”

Children who drink at most one sweet drink a day are roughly 30% more likely have heart attacks. They are also 26percent more likely develop type 2 diabetes as well as 55% more likely to be overweight or obese.

“Sugary drinks are a major factor that contribute to unhealthy weight and chronic disease,” said 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.”

More than a quarter (26.6%) of Boulder County children ages 5-14 years old are overweight or obese, a 43% increase in the last year. Additionally, Latino/Hispanic youth are significantly affected by 28 percent of the Latino/Hispanic highschool students obese or overweight compared with 9.7% of high school students from white backgrounds. The reason for this is because of targeted marketing from the drinks industry.

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