Apr 21, 2008 11:32 AM
Group Pressures Ys to Ban Junk Food
New York -- The National Action Against Obesity (NAAO) launched a yearlong campaign to expel junk food from all U.S. day care, childcare and preschool centers, beginning with the nation's largest provider of childcare services, the YMCA of the USA. The campaign kicked off its campaign in mid-April to coincide with the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day and specifically targets the Y’s partnership with PepsiCo.
The group is asking for the YMCA of the USA to end its partnership with PepsiCo upon its expiration in 2010 and urging Y childcare centers to commit to the long-term elimination of junk food, including food offered from on-site kitchens, vending machines and meal programs.
“While the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day and Activate America campaigns are worthy initiatives, having one the world's largest suppliers of soft drinks and foods of low nutritional value fund the events introduces a conflict of interest,” according to a statement from the NAAO.
According to NAAO, doctors, researchers and experts in child obesity including Walter Willett of Harvard, David Katz of Yale, Barry Popkin of the University of North Carolina, Melissa Glassman of Columbia, and Ruby Natale of University of Miami, as well as actor and comedian Chevy have signed a petition supporting the cause. The organization is now calling for signatures from the public.
