ORANJESTAD (AAN): Dahariana Evertsz of the Department of Public Health Aruba (DVG) provided further details about a major health campaign aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyle choices within the community.
Through this initiative, DVG is working to raise awareness and educate the public to make more positive health decisions. The campaign, titled “Come Bon. Paga Menos” (Eat Well. Pay Less), includes several smaller campaigns focusing on specific topics. One of these is the Cambia Bo Slok Aruba campaign, which focuses on reducing the consumption of sugary drinks.
The Cambia Bo Slok Aruba campaign highlights how children often copy the behavior of adults. If adults frequently consume sugary beverages, children are likely to follow the same habits. Therefore, it is important to educate children from an early age about healthier hydration choices.
Evertsz explained that many people do not pay enough attention to labels on drinks such as juices, chocolate milk, soft drinks, and energy drinks. These beverages often contain high amounts of sugar, even in products marketed as natural juices. Understanding how much sugar and fruit content is in these drinks is essential.
DVG follows World Health Organization guidelines, which recommend limiting daily sugar intake. For young children aged 0–2, it is advised to avoid sugary drinks entirely, including natural juices. For adults, reducing sugar in beverages like coffee or tea is also encouraged.
The Cambia Bo Slok Aruba campaign promotes water as the best and most accessible option for hydration. Drinking water helps reduce health risks such as cardiovascular diseases while eliminating the negative effects of sugary drinks.
Ultimately, the goal of the campaign is to raise awareness among both children and adults about the benefits of choosing water and reducing sugar intake, helping build a healthier Aruba.
