The following letter was sent to Representative Melissa Minor-Brown to express DAPA’s support of important legislation regarding healthier drinks and restaurant kid’s meals. Also attached is a flyer with additional facts and information.

Representative Melissa Minor-Brown,
The Delaware Academy of Physician Assistants strongly supports your
legislation regarding healthier drinks and restaurant kids’ meals, and we are
eager to see it become law. It is imperative that changes are made to protect
our children from the significant health concerns that come from
overconsumption of sugars.
The current dietary guidelines recommend that children and adolescents
consume less than 10 percent of calories from added sugars. However, recent
data shows that these groups are consuming over 17 percent of calories from
added sugar, almost half of which come from sugary drinks . This is a 
significant public health concern as overconsumption of sugars leads to
increased incidence of childhood obesity, as well as dental decay,
cardiovascular disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes mellitus,
fatty liver disease and overall mortality 

Your legislation will ensure water, milk, 100% fruit or vegetable juice, juice
diluted with water and flavored water with no added natural or artificial
sweetener are offered as the automatic selections of choice for restaurant
kids’ meals instead of soda, sports drinks, energy drinks and other less
healthy drink options. Parents will still have the option of requesting
other beverages if they choose.

We are extremely grateful for your leadership in addressing this important
public health concern. Delaware Physician Assistants look forward to working
with you and helping ensure passage of this legislation.

Sincerely,

Stephanie R. Carlino, PA-C, MMSc
President
Delaware Academy of Physician Assistants

AHA_2019_DelawareKids Meal Problem_Solution Fact Sheet