City officials in Boston, MA initiated a comprehensive campaign this week against consumption of sugary drinks as part of an anti-obesity effort.  The campaign, funded by federal taxpayer dollars and costing over $1 million dollars, is primarily aimed at black and Latino neighborhoods where obesity rates are high.

The First Lady, Michele Obama, has targeted obesity as a top priority for this Administration and this effort in Boston is part of the federally funded initiative to combat obesity nationwide.  

AWMA has long believed that targeting so-called “bad” foods is misguided and not helpful to the effort to combat obesity.  Instead, AWMA joins with coalitions, such as the Healthy Weight Commitment, that are dedicated to reducing obesity through improvements in scientific research, education and physical education programs in schools.