Story in Brief
Children who are obese are more likely to have health problems as adults unless they change their diets. Tift County Family and Consumer Sciences agent collaborated with the Tift County School System and Tift Regional Medical Center to implement educational classes to teach children the importance of reducing intake of sugar in their diets. A total of 2,250 students and 39 teachers were reached during 111 classes. Thirty minute lessons focused on consuming less sugar by reducing soft drinks and consuming more water. As a result of the program, 98 percent of children surveyed indicated they would consume less sugary drinks and would consume more water. One teacher commented, “We should definitely continue the sugar lessons! The students started reading the labels on their milk cartons and juice boxes in the lunchroom.”