Fast Fact:

News Flash:

Sugary beverages linked to 180,000 deaths per year worldwide

Consumption of diet beverages linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes

Kids today drink less soda and sugary drinks than in previous years!

Field Poll finds 94% of rural Californians think obesity is a serious problem.

New RWJF research review finds strong public support for menu labeling

Childhood obesity is linked to health and developmental problems.

Hispanic Institute urges Hispanic organizations to break with the food industry

Fructose & added sugars linked to increased risk of adolescent heart disease

NYC introduces new campaign against sports drinks and other sugar-sweetened beve...

Consuming sugary drinks is assoc w/ higher risk of stroke in adults

Study finds that soda and illicit drugs cause similar damage to teeth

National 1 cent/oz tax on sugary drinks = $13B in 2013 or $39B in 3 yrs

Contra Costa County introduces new anti-SSB campaign called Sugar Bites

24 states and 6 cities have proposed sugary drink taxes since 2009

Nine-year-old puts McDonald's CEO on the hot seat

Childhood Obesity Conference is June 18-20, 2013 in Long Beach, CA

180,000 deaths worldwide may be associated with sugary soft drinks

Drinking fructose does not signal satiety well and can lead to over eating.

Washington D.C. adds calorie counts to government vending machines

62% CA voters support sugary drink tax to fund childhood obesity prevention.

Lancet calls for more gov regulation on industrial food to protect health

Replacing sugary drinks w/ calorie free ones can reduce weight gain in children.

Fizzy soft drink sales decline for 8th straight year in 2012

Big Soda spent nearly $5M to defeat 2012 soda taxes in two small CA cities.

Former Kraft Foods VP endorses Bloomberg-style nutrition policies.

1-cent-per-oz sugary drink tax will likely reduce consumption by 12%

Illinois bills would ban the sale of energy drinks to anyone under 18

Pepsi ups marketing by $600 million in 2012

Judge Halts NYC Sugary Drink Portion Size Cap

A 20 ounce soda has 16 teaspoons of sugar!

NY Times reveals the science behind addictive junk food and drinks!

Overweight and obesity account for $168 billion in medical expenditures.

NYTimes' Bittman says US Surg Gen has been M.I.A. on sugary drinks

The typical American consumes 22 teaspoons of added sugar daily!

CA Senator introduces 1-cent per oz sweetened beverage tax for 2013

A 32oz. sports drink has 14 tsp. of sugar, equivalent to 22 Starburst candies!

Outdoor junk food ads linked to higher obesity rates

Drinking sugary drinks nearly doubles the risk of dental caries in children.

Reg soda, chips and candy out under USDA's proposed school snack rules

In CA, a one-cent per ounce sugary drink tax would raise more than $1 billion.

Stephen Colbert pokes fun at Coke's defense of VitaminWater

Sugary drinks are the biggest source of added sugar in the US diet.

Health advocates call on beverage industry to make changes that matter.

The price of sugary drinks has dropped 35% since the 1980s!

More 18-24 year olds are drinking coffee over caffeinated sodas

The beverage industry spends $600 mil. annually selling sugary drinks to kids!

Coke to tout their "anti-obesity" efforts in cable news ads.

Adults who drink a soda daily are 27% more likely to be overweight or obese.

Soda ads aimed at kids decline, but more protections are needed

Each daily serving of soda increases a child’s risk for obesity by 60%.

Four teens win youth essay contest on soda marketing impact!

Sugary drink consumption has more than doubled in the past 30 years.

Advocates urge Beyonce to reconsider $50M deal with Pepsi

The average American drinks 45 gallons of sugary drinks each year!

Analysis of 32 studies shows support for taxing soda and junk food

Sugary beverages linked to 180,000 deaths per year worldwide

Big Soda's tax victories come at high cost to CA children's health.

Consumption of diet beverages linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes

Suffolk County, NY seeks to ban energy drinks for those under 19.

Field Poll finds 94% of rural Californians think obesity is a serious problem.

More local soda tax measures may be coming to CA!

Childhood obesity is linked to health and developmental problems.

Vermont researchers discuss resurrection of state soda tax proposal.

Fructose & added sugars linked to increased risk of adolescent heart disease

Study shows one soda per day can increase risk of prostate cancer.

Consuming sugary drinks is assoc w/ higher risk of stroke in adults

Pepsi's new fat-fighting soda is just too good to be true.

National 1 cent/oz tax on sugary drinks = $13B in 2013 or $39B in 3 yrs

7-Up sued over claims touting healthfulness of some sodas

24 states and 6 cities have proposed sugary drink taxes since 2009

New research says soda tax would boost health of Latinos and blacks

Childhood Obesity Conference is June 18-20, 2013 in Long Beach, CA

Sports drinks' role in rehydration often overplayed - water is best.

Drinking fructose does not signal satiety well and can lead to over eating.

Amer. Public Health Assoc. endorses sugar-sweetened beverage taxes!

62% CA voters support sugary drink tax to fund childhood obesity prevention.

Childhood obesity rates start to decline in states taking bold action.

Replacing sugary drinks w/ calorie free ones can reduce weight gain in children.

In Fight Against Obesity, Drink Sizes Matter

Big Soda spent nearly $5M to defeat 2012 soda taxes in two small CA cities.

Viral animated video satire skewers Coke's polar bears

1-cent-per-oz sugary drink tax will likely reduce consumption by 12%

Vending machines will now show calorie counts in Chicago and San Antonio, TX.

Pepsi ups marketing by $600 million in 2012

Soda portion limit opens conversations about patients' weight with MDs

A 20 ounce soda has 16 teaspoons of sugar!

Teens with a soda habit show altered brain response to Coke ads.

Overweight and obesity account for $168 billion in medical expenditures.

NBC show "Parks and Recreation" airs soda tax episode!

The typical American consumes 22 teaspoons of added sugar daily!

Gov. Brown signs CA's Human Right to Water Bill into Law!

A 32oz. sports drink has 14 tsp. of sugar, equivalent to 22 Starburst candies!

Replacing Juice with Water in Afterschool Programs Cuts Calories

Drinking sugary drinks nearly doubles the risk of dental caries in children.

Senators call on Surgeon Gen. to study link between soda & obesity

In CA, a one-cent per ounce sugary drink tax would raise more than $1 billion.

McDonald's to post calories for items on menu boards

Sugary drinks are the biggest source of added sugar in the US diet.

NYC soda ban would cut 63 calories per fast food trip!

The price of sugary drinks has dropped 35% since the 1980s!

Top athletes choose water over sugary sports drinks.

Youth Essay Contest Form

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This Kick the Can Youth Essay Contest begins September 20, 2012 at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends November 15, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 13 through 18 years of age on the start date of the Contest (and must have their parent or legal guardian's consent if they are a minor), have a computer and internet connection and be a legal resident of the US prior to the start date of the Contest. For judging and prize purposes, children who are 13-15 will be entered in the Youth category. Children who are 16-18 will be entered into the "Young Adult" category. Only one (1) submission per contestant. To enter, create a Submission, then complete the online entry form. Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules. Only complete, valid submissions will be accepted. Sponsored by California Center for Public Health Advocacy, 1947 Galileo Court, Suite 101, Davis, CA, 95618. See youth essay contest rules for complete Rules and details.