Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We invite you to add your comments - if you have feedback for the blog, would like some specific topics covered, or you just want to share your experience as a parent dealing with childhood obesity.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

New Yorkers May Face "Obesity tax" on Sodas

New Yorkers may soon have to pay more for regular soda, but not diet varieties. Governor David Paterson is proposing a 15% sales tax on sugar-sweetened carbonated drinks in order to curb sales among children and to raise more money for a state strapped for cash.

The "obesity tax" has won the approval of experts in the field of childhood obesity.

"Raising the price of this liquid candy will put children and teens on a path to a healthier diet," said Elie Ward, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics in New York.

Those against the tax argue that there is no evidence the tax will curb sales of sugary soda, and that studies show that people who drink diet sodas may gain more weight than those who stick to the regular brands.

Labels: sodas, taxes, costs_of_childhoood_obesity

Posted By: Aspen Education Group