The city is taking an unprecedented step in the fight against childhood obesity.
The popular Summer Fun program attracts nine-thousand children every summer and this year participants are receiving a valuable life lesson to help them live healthy.
"The problem that we have is about one in three children in our kindergartens and pre school are already overweight or obese. And over the last ten years we’ve seen a 26% increase in obesity in our high schools," said Loretta Fuddy of the State Health Department.
It’s a problem that is on the city’s radar, and the parks and recreation department is doing something about it.
"That’s what we have at all of our facilities. And so we have 24 sites right now that have already been changed out to water, 100% juice," said Al Tufono of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.
That’s right say bye bye to soda in the vending machines…
Plus all the young people taking part in summer fun programs across Oahu are taking part in something new.
"But what is different about this summer is we’re doing something that is totally out of the box here in Parks and Recreation and that is issuing a soda free summer challenge to all of the kids who are going to be coming to our program," said Tufono.
Seven weeks without any soda.
Exercise, no soda, eat right and it should all add up to a healthier Hawaii.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
