According to Phoebe Leung R.D., Assistant Director of the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) and a registered dietitian, “The Health Services Agency fully supports this bill. Childhood obesity is on the rise and is becoming an epidemic in the United States. The leading cause of childhood obesity is poor eating habits and unhealthy food choices.”

Leung continued, “not intending to point fingers at the soda industry, however, the sales of sodas in schools is a convenient way for children to obtain unhealthy foods. The soda ban is one way to curb children’s intake of empty calories.”

A can of 12 oz soda contains 140 calories, which equals to calories in 7 teaspoonfuls of sugar, or 2 slices of bread, or 2 servings of fruits, or vegetables.

HSA has been collaborating with the Salida Unified School District on their Nutrition Policy and will continue to combat this epidemic by raising pubic awareness and educating parents and children on healthy food choices.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) is an outpatient medical system with 9 medical offices located throughout Stanislaus County. The HSA operates the Public Health Department, an Urgent Care Center and multiple programs serving over 500,000 patients and clients each year in Stanislaus County. The HSA has extensive community health information available at its web site www.hsahealth.org