Wellness Now Coalition Meeting

This afternoon Lorri Essary invited me to attend the Oklahoma City-County Wellness Now Coalition Meeting. Chaired by Mayor Mick Cornett and County Commission Chairman Ray Vaughn. Committee workgroups are focused on improving the health of Oklahomans through school health, obesity, tobacco use prevention, senior health, mental health and chronic disease. They have many wonderful projects that are helping improve the health of Oklahomans.

Their newest campaign "Are You Pouring on the Pounds?" raising awareness of the harmful effects of consuming sugar-sweetend beverages.

Some interesting facts can be found on their website Pouring on the Pounds. Here are a few reasons to avoid sugary.

1. They add calories to your diet with out even making you full! 
2. In order to burn off the calories from a 20oz soda you would have to walk 3 miles from Bricktown to the Oklahoma State Capitol building!
3. Excess calories can lead to excess weight gain, diabetes and chronic diseases.
4. Youth who drink sugary beverages get an average of 360 calories from them each day. This adds up to 130,000 calories per child over a span of a year. 
5. Obesity-related illness costs Oklahomans $5 billion in medical costs each year and Oklahoma Tax payers pick up much of the expense. 

Water, low-fat milk, and unsweetened teas and coffees are the best alternatives.

Take a look at this short commercial Man Eating Sugar. It provides a great visual as to how much sugar actually is in these beverages!

Love,

Victoria