A new campaign takes the manufacturers of sugary drinks to task as government data reveals the extent of overweight and obesity amongst children and young people.
Give Up Loving Pop (Gulp) has been created by Liverpool-based social enterprise Health Equalities Group following research that revealed the lack of awareness amongst both adults and young people regarding the link between consumption of sugary drinks and weight gain and a range of associated health conditions.
Gulp will be rolling into city centres this week to encourage parents and young people to think again before reaching for the pop.
Robin Ireland, Chief Executive of Health Equalities Group and Director of the Gulp campaign, said: 'Few people fully realise the harm that sugary drinks can do to your health. As well as damaging your teeth, overconsumption of these drinks can lead to weight gain, type 2 diabetes and poor heart health. Given the levels of overweight and obesity across the UK, in particular amongst youngsters, unless we start to take action on sugary drinks we will be storing up problems for future generations.'
'As sugary drinks manufacturers seem less-than-willing to inform the public about the health harms associated with overconsumption of their products we’ve launched our Gulp campaign to get the message across and take the fight to the manufacturers.'
'With 40% of young people reportedly drinking three or more glasses of sugary drinks per day it is vital that we a send a message to government about the damage that is being done to the health of our children and young people and the need for education on healthier alternatives.'
Gulp will be running a series of public roadshows commencing on Monday 16 February at The Lowry Shopping Centre, Salford. The roadshows, also arriving this week at Liverpool Central Railway Station (Wednesday 18 February) and Preston St George’s Shopping Centre (Friday 20 February) will mark the start of a bold marketing campaign that appropriates the marketing techniques of sugary drinks companies to communicate the health harms associated with these beverages in an attractive, fun, recognisable and appealing way.
Beyond the roadshows, Gulp is rolling out a full social media campaign encompassing Twitter, Facebook and Vine to spread the message, and will be encouraging the public to pledge to Give Up Loving Pop!
