Charlotte, NC, -The shocking facts are part of the headlines:
Nationally more than a third of young people are overweight. Nearly 18% are OBESE. In North Carolina, the numbers are worse, our state is the eleventh from the bottom in childhood obesity, over 19% of our kids are obese. If you’re Black or Hispanic, it’s even worse (Trust for America’s Health).
Across the country there is a desperate rally to stop this epidemic in America. As high as the White House proper nutrition is a number one priority. But for many children, the gateway to change isn’t about what they EAT. It’s about what they DRINK.
Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation and A Better World Charlotte are teaming up with True Drinks to roll out AquaBall Naturally Flavored Water,starting summer with a new initiative: healthy hydration, making better choices about what children drink on hot summer days. Kids seem to go from mother’s milk, straight to sodas and high fructose ‘juices’. With each additional sugary drink a child consumes per day, the risk of obesity increases by an astonishing 60 percent.
“Summer is all about water, both playing in the pools, but also making sure the kids stay properly hydrated,” says P&R Aquatics Manager Genni Reel. “Our department is committed to promoting healthy choice options for food and drinks in our programs and to our kids. With AquaBall, this fits perfectly with our philosophy.”
AquaBall is a Naturally Flavored Water, with No Artificial colors or flavors and Vitamin Enhanced with B6, B12, B3 and C and sweetened with Stevia, an all-natural sweetener which means it contains Zero Calories.
“We’re committed to changing unhealthy drinking habits,” says Vena Vaughn Program Director for A Better World. “True Drinks shares our commitment to children and wellness and we’re very thankful for their support. We believe educating our children on the negative impact of sugary sweet drinks will change lives.”
True Drinks is providing Mecklenburg P&R and A Better World Charlotte with thousands of AquaBalls for their summer programs. AquaBalls are colorfully wrapped in America’s favorite cartoon characters, princesses and superheroes. True Drinks has licensing agreements with Disney and Marvel in order to make sure their healthy drink is visually appealing to the children who need it most.
“Childhood obesity is a national shame.. and a national responsibility,” says True Drinks CEO Lance Leonard. “Part of the solution is providing better choices for hydration. What our children need is a healthy alternative. Our hope, is that this initiative in Charlotte and several other cities, can create a positive change.”
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WHEN: Wednesday, June 26th
WHERE: 11:00 am Cordelia Pool, 2100 N. Davidson St.
2:30 pm A Better World, Christ Resurrection Church, 4527 Freedom Drive.
EVENT DESCRIPTIONS
11:00 am Registration for summer pool activities. Hundreds of children and offering of free AquaBall and beginning of program for ‘healthy hydration’. Interviews: Genni Reel, Aquatics Director; Batt Humphreys, True Drinks
2:00 pm A Better World holds outdoor exercise and wellness program including discussion of ‘healthy hydration’ and encouraging kids to Think About Your Drink. Interviews: Vena Vaughn, A Better World; and special surprise guests expected.
About Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation
One of the nation’s most diverse and dynamic urban offerings for the million residents of the county. The Department oversees thousands of programs ranging across tens of thousands of acres of parks and natural preserves, a nationally recognized aquatics program offering indoor and outdoor pools for thousands of swimmers of all ages and athletic centers with programs in sports of all sort, for all ages.
About A Better World Charlotte
A Better World is a 501© 3 non-profit organization that reaches out to children and their families in the Ashley Park Community and the surrounding area to offer after school care, classes and training which will assist them in many areas of their lives. By enhancing the educational and holistic growth of these children & families, they will strive to actualize their potential in marvelous ways.
About True Drinks, Inc.
True Drinks, Inc. is a beverage company with licensing agreements with major entertainment and media companies for use of their characters on its proprietary, patented bottles. AquaBall™ Naturally Flavored Water, the Company's vitamin-enhanced water that was created as a 0 calorie, sugar-free alternative to juice and soda for kids, is currently being sold into mass-market retailers throughout the United States. For more information, please visit www.theaquaball.com and www.truedrinks.com.
Company Name: True Drinks Inc.Contact Person: Batt Humphreys
Email:Send Email
Phone: 843.725.8256
Country: United States
Website: www.TheAquaBall.com
Source: www.abnewswire.com
