Solano Public Health and Touro University have teamed up with the North Bay Athletic Association to promote healthy beverage choices with the young gymnasts who train there.

The non-profit gymnastics center is the newest to have a fresh, healthy water station installed as part of a larger goal of encouraging youth to choose water over sugary energy drinks and sodas.

Since gymnasts can train up to 20 hours per week, proper hydration is imperative to effective training and healthy living. The little athletes are not the only ones playing a role in healthy rehydration. Parents must play their part in the campaign by not serving drinks filled with sugar and other additives that could contribute to future health problems.

Jennette Nguyen, a public heath student at Touro University, said the school launched the drinking water campaign with Solano County and the North Bay Athletic Association last year. The collaborative efforts have already proven been successful in promoting a healthier community.

As sugary sodas are a big contributor to childhood obesity, Solano Public Health is working on next steps to work with the Vallejo City Unified School District to install similar hydration stations in the Vallejo schools.

Grant funding has been obtained to pay for similar machines and for the campaign, since choosing water over sugary drinks can make a healthy difference.

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