Obesity Summit, November 15th, 2011 – Tukwila, WA

Soda Pop & Other Sugary Drinks

Individual, Institutional and Policy Approaches

Could You Drink an Aquarium of Soda?

Obesity Summit, November 15th, 2011 – Tukwila, WA

Males 12-29 drink 160 Gallons a year, or enough to fill a large aquarium*

“The relationship between soft drink consumption and body weight is so strong that researchers calculate that for each additional soft drink consumed, the risk of obesity increases 1.6 times.”

* Study by the National Soft Drink Association

Soda Free SundaysCommunity-wide challenge to take a break from soda and other sugary drinks for at least one day per week. www.sodafreesundays.org

o Over 600 people have taken the pledge o 50 organizations signed on to the campaign.o Different approaches to

curbing sugary drink consumption in various areas of our lives.

Soda Free Sundays

• Initially 6 week campaign, now continuing!• Schools, Recreational organizations, faith-based

groups, businesses, parent groups, community and neighborhood organizations

• Working with local elected officials to set an example in their own lives and legislatively

• 1,947 active views of social media since October

SSB Policy Directions

• Encourage community and government organizations to provide easy access to healthy drinking options by: Removing soda and other sugary drinks, or Provide more non-sugar choices (equal, or higher

proportion of healthy choices)Encourage public officials to mount programs and

policies to reduce consumption of sugary drinks: Food purchasing rules Nutrition guidelines Sugary drink tax

A National Movement

15 States have sugary beverage taxes, and the CDC has provided 41 grants across country to fight obesity rates.