A coalition of health organizations, children’s organizations, and businesses and government health agencies are participating in “Soda Free Sundays,” a campaign to encourage King County residents to take a break from sugary drinks. To get involved, visit the web site http://www.sodafreesundays.org/ and sign the pledge to take a break from sugary drinks for six weeks.
Sugary drinks, such as sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened fruit drinks and vitamin drinks, are one of the major contributors to obesity today, particularly among kids. In King County, one in five middle and high school youths are overweight or obese, and over half of King County adults are either overweight or obese.
Many people, including parents, do not realize how much sugar is actually in these drinks. For example, a 20 oz. soda has an average of 16 teaspoons of sugar and 240 calories, which is double the amount of added sugar recommended for a daily diet.
