Reducing the Consumption of Sugar Products in African-American Communities

Adopted as amended

WHEREAS, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association ("JAMA"), over 23 million (1/3 of the American population) adults and adolescents are overweight or obese; and 

WHEREAS, health issues like obesity and diabetes are serious conditions affecting African-American families and children at a more disparate rate than our White counterparts; and 

WHEREAS, African-American children ages 6 to 11 are more likely to be obese or overweight than white children; and 

WHEREAS, the consumption of high sugar products adversely affects oral health; and 

WHEREAS, The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends minimizing consumption of products with added sugars; and 

WHEREAS, the AHA also states that "excessive consumption of sugars has been linked with several metabolic abnormalities, adverse health conditions, as well as shortfalls of essential nutrients"; and 

WHEREAS, America's leading beverage companies value their longstanding relationship with the NAACP and its local chapters and believe that all stakeholders have a role in addressing obesity, including all levels of government, the business community, and non-profit service providers; and 

WHEREAS, The Coca-Cola Company, Dr Pepper, Snapple Group and PepsiCo Inc., along with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, committed in 2006 to limiting the number of calories available to students of all ages by removing full- calorie soft drinks from all schools as well as limiting portion sizes of lower- calorie and nutritious beverages offered; the successful implementation of that commitment resulted in an 88% reduction in beverage calories shipped to schools and a 95% reduction in shipments of full-calorie soft drinks; and 

WHEREAS, according to research conducted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, as prices of unhealthy products increase as consumption of them decreases which can affect obesity and the on-set of illnesses like diabetes and oral decay; and 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that all NAACP units are encouraged to reduce the use of sugar sweetened products and encourage consumers to make healthy choices; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP and its local units explore ways to collaborate with public officials, community organizations, churches, schools, local recreation centers, the business community and organizations such as Let's Move!, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the many others, including food and beverage companies, working on initiatives to reduce the prevalence of obesity in the African-American community.