Cook Co. health officials take on sodas, other sugary drinks

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Updated: February 12, 2012 8:09AM

OAK FOREST — Cook County health officials are launching an advertising campaign to encourage residents to replace sugary drinks with water or low-fat milk.

The “Rethink Your Drink” campaign is supported by a federal grant. It’s aimed at suburban Cook County and will include information on the hazards of drinking soda and sports drinks, and the benefits of drinking water and low-fat milk. The campaign will spread the word through ads on radio, cable, public transit, print and the Web.

One ad says, “You just ate 16 packs of sugar,” and shows an overflowing bottle of cola.

Health experts say sugar sweetened beverages are the biggest source of added sugars in the diet of American young people and contribute to the prevalence of obesity in U.S. teens.