City Health Department Encourages Families to Choose Water Over Sugary Drinks as a New Year Resolution

The City’s Public Health Department encourages families to be more health conscious in the new year by trading in their children’s sugary drinks for water.

The consumption of sugary drinks is one of the leading causes of weight-related health risks, and California leads the country in childhood obesity among children between the ages of 2 and 4. The Pasadena Public Health Department is working with the Choose Health LA Kids Program’s parent collaborative to urge Pasadena families to make the switch to encourage long-term healthy habits.

“A simple change like drinking water during each meal and every time you’re thirsty has many health benefits, and it makes you feel good too,” said Michael Johnson, Director for the Pasadena Public Health Department. “With the support of the community, we are confident we can prevent obesity and other health conditions in our children.”

One of the ways Pasadena is encouraging parents to replace sugary drinks with water is by participating in the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s media and community outreach campaign “Water: The Healthiest Choice.”

“We want to encourage parents to choose the sugar free, calorie free, and obesity free drink for their children – water,” said Dr. Paul Simon, MD, MPH, Director, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “There are many simple ways to make water more appealing to kids. Parents can go to ChooseHealthLA.com for tips and easy recipes.”

The Choose Health LA Kids Program is a countywide early childhood obesity prevention initiative of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, which is funded by First 5 LA. To learn more about the program and its many services, contact Nicole Collins at [email protected].

For more than 120 years, Pasadena’s Public Health Department has worked to promote and protect the health of the greater Pasadena area. Visit www.cityofpasadena.net/publichealth for more info.

Stay connected to the City of Pasadena! Visit the City of Pasadena online at  www.cityofpasadena.net; follow the city on Twitter @PasadenaGov, www.twitter.com/pasadenagov, and like the City on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofpasadena. Or call the Citizen Service Center, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (626) 744-7311.