4-H Delivers

Del Norte County 4-H Members Ask You to “Rethink Your Drink”

The Issue

Childhood obesity is a nationwide problem, with a national average of 34.5 percent of American adolescents considered overweight or obese. Del Norte County has a much higher average, with over 50 percent of school-aged children overweight or obese. Overweight people are more susceptible to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and dental problems. Due to these high health risks, obesity also causes a financial strain on our national healthcare costs. In 1998, overall spending on adults attributed to obesity topped approximately $40 billion and increased to an estimated $147 billion in 2008.

What Has 4-H Done?

Del Norte County 4-H members created an action plan to educate consumers about the substantial amount of sugar in many popular drinks. To do this, 4-H members created an educational display featuring eight popular sugar-sweetened beverages. Next to each beverage, the 4-H members placed a container with the equivalent number of sugar cubes. The 4-H youth took this display to the Del Norte County Fair to engage fair-goers and encourage visitors to “Rethink Your Drink.” Along with the display, youth also provided three different healthy beverages—water flavored with slices of fresh fruit and/or vegetables. Providing free, fresh, and tasty alternative drew more than 1,800 people to the display over a period of four days. Members also provided these fruit infused beverages to more than 300 individual’s at the FFA Auction Buyer’s Luncheon.

The Payoff

Through the vision and initiative of Del Norte County 4-H, the “Rethink Your Drink” initiative has continued to reach thousands of members of the public throughout the North Coast counties of Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, Del Norte and Lake. Approximately 11,000 people have been reached on the North Coast, with more than 7,000 reached through community outreach events similar to those conducted by Del Norte County 4-H. Not only have they impacted their regional community, Del Norte 4-H members also have made a difference in their local 4-H community. Due to their efforts, the Del Norte 4-H Leader’s Council has committed to offering healthy beverage options and serving water at 4-H events and activities.