We went out to eat last night, and my daughter pointed out how proud she was of her choices. She is sharing the information and has retained it. She values it and is using it. That is a huge step.

At a time when seven-month-olds are drinking soda, we offer you something that’s truly refreshing. Take 2.

The facts speak for themselves.

By 14 years of age, 32% of adolescent girls and 52 percent of boys in the United States are consuming three or more eight-ounce servings of sweetened soft drinks daily, and one study reported that infants as young as seven months old are drinking sweetened sodas.

Overweight children and adolescents are more likely to become overweight or obese adults.

One study found that youth who watch more than five hours of television per day were 4.6 times more likely to be obese as those watching no TV or less than two hours daily.

Over the past three decades, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and adolescents aged 12-19 years. It has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years.

At present, approximately nine million children over 6 years of age are considered obese.

In a population-based sample, approximately 60 percent of obese children aged 5 to 10 years had at least one cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor—such as elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, or blood pressure—and about 25 percent had two or more risk CVD factors.

Fortunately, so do the benefits.

Short Term Benefits of Eating Well & Exercising:

Improved energy and mood.
Better rest and sleep patterns.
Improved immune system, which helps you stay healthy and feeling well.
Better fitness and self-image.

Long Term Benefits of Eating Well & Exercising:

Increased longevity and quality of your life—you’ll live longer and live better.
Improved prevention of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure.
More energy for the activities of daily life—throughout your entire life.
Decreased risk of obesity.
Fewer (and lower) medical bills.