Drop the Pop

Healthy eating is important for overall health and dental health throughout life. Making healthy drink choices promotes general health as well as dental health.

March is Nutrition Month and April is Dental Health Month. Health and Social Services and the Department of Education are partnering, through the Health Promotion Unit, to launch the Yukon Drop the Pop Challenge to Yukon students from Kindergarten to Grade seven. Similar challenges are being hosted by the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

For one school week, elementary school children are being challenged not to drink any pop, and to make healthier drink choices. The Yukon Drop the Pop Challenge will run from March 31 to April 4, 2008 in twenty-four schools.

Drinking pop contributes to the obesity epidemic, the rising rates of Type II diabetes, and dental decay. Making healthier drink choices improves overall physical and dental health. National Nutrition Month in March and Dental Health Month in April provide an opportunity to educate children and their parents about healthier choices.

The challenge will encourage students to avoid drinking pop and make healthier drink choices during the week of 31to April 4, 2008. Students will report their daily progress to their teacher during the challenge and classes and schools will be eligible for great prizes.

Parents and caregivers can support their children during the Drop the Pop Challenge and beyond by:

Making water, milk, and 100% vegetable and fruit juices easy choices in your home
Removing pop from the refrigerator
Be creative – experiment with making smoothies
Talking with the child(ren) about healthy drink choices
Being a role model and choosing healthier drinks for yourself

Drop the Pop

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