Toolkit: Sugary drinks

Did you know that a 20-ounce bottle of soda can contain more than 16 packs of sugar and 240 calories? That's twice as much sugar as allowed for the entire day based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Research shows that the rising consumption of sugary drinks -- like sodas, sports and energy drinks, and juices with added sugar -- is a direct cause of obesity. High consumption of sugar can lead to obesity and chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Each year, Oregon spends over $781 million for health care costs associated with obesity.

Our two-part education campaign features local online ads, television PSA's, outdoor signage, displays in public spaces and downloadable posters. Part one of the effort included messages about how many packs of sugar are in various sugary drinks. Part two emphasizes the amount of activity necessary to burn off the extra calories in sugary drinks.

The average American drinks about 50 gallons of soda and other sugary drinks every year. Among children, milk consumption has decreased in recent decades while comsumption of non-diet soda has increased dramatically. Soda comsumption now even surpasses milk consumption. For each additional serving of soda or juice drink a child consumes per day, a child's chance of becoming overweight increases by 60%.

Our public awareness campaign builds on education efforts implemented in New York City and Seattle – King County. It is one component of the Multnomah County Health Department's comprehensive strategy to reverse the obesity epidemic.

Fact Sheet:

Sugary Drinks fact sheet -- PDF (English)

Sugar Packs Posters (11 X 17):

Sugar Packs -- PDF (English)

Sugar Packs -- PDF (Spanish)

Sugar Packs -- PDF (Russian)

Sugar Packs -- PDF (Somali)

Sugar Packs -- PDF (Ukranian)

Sugar Packs -- PDF (Vietnamese)

Sugar Packs -- PDF (Chinese)

Walking Off Sugary Drinks Posters: (11"x17") English

Washington Park Rose Garden to Rose Garden Arena -- PDF