Obesity is a big problem in San Antonio and Bexar County. Of the more than 1.8 million people that live in Bexar, 65 percent are estimated to be overweight and obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The city of San Antonio has a whopping 29 percent of its citizens in the obese category, making it one of the fattest cities in the nation. In addition, the city and county have been above the state and national averages for Type-2 diabetes with 14 percent of the population suffering from the disease.
With these critical factors in mind, the county has started a public awareness campaign on sugary drinks. According to the University Health System these drinks equate with almost half of our added sugar intake. Bexar County Commissioners passed a resolutionlast month addressing these beverages, hoping to increase access to healthy drinks and awareness of just how bad these other drinks are for us.
While county officials are taking this on, the city has been criticizedrepeatedly for largely staying on the sidelines on this topic.
Guests:
- Judge Nelson Wolff, Bexar County Judge
- Dr. Bryan Alsip, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at University Health System