“Drop the Pop” for Strong Bones 2010

R(16)365 – Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Sugar-sweetened beverages such as pop are one of the main culprits of childhood obesity – and the Governments of the NWT, Yukon, and Nunavut are working to change that with the launch of their pan-territorial “Drop the Pop” campaign this month.“Prevention and education are the best ways to help people make healthy food choices and to lead healthy lifestyles,” said Minister of Health and Social Services Sandy Lee. “By joining forces with Yukon and Nunavut, we want to raise widespread awareness about the detrimental effects that drinking sugar-sweetened beverages can have on a person’s health.”

This is the fifth year for the “Drop the Pop” challenge in the NWT, where schools from across the territories participate to win prizes and recognition for their healthy choices. The new “Drop the Pop for Strong Bones” campaign will feature posters, a calcium information kit for parents, and will once again offer school awards for kids who promote healthy eating and show community involvement. More information can be found on the official website athttp://www.dropthepopnwt.ca

As part of the campaign, the Department of Health and Social Services will work closely with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and grocery stores across the NWT to provide education about the dangers of drinking too many sugar-sweetened beverages. The Store Manager Award will be presented to stores who participate in the project and who help schools “Drop the Pop”.

This year, the “Drop the Pop” campaign is funded through the pan-territorial Territorial Health Access Fund.

A Foundation for Change – an action plan released by the Department of Health and Social Services – maintains as a goal the development of the Healthy Choices Framework, to ensure that health promotion is delivered effectively across the NWT through resources that help Northerners make healthy choices.

For more information, contact:

Damien Healy
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Tel: (867) 920-8927