With childhood obesity on the rise in the United States, Carbon County is hoping to educate children on making better lifestyle choices to curb this trend.

On Thursday, the county commissioners voted to declare Wednesdayas county "Pop-Out" day, a day to substitute sugary drinks such as soda, sports drinks and juices for water.Georgia Farrow, 4-H program assistant from the Penn State Extension, received the proclamation from the board and thanked them for their support. She also handed out bottles of water.The proclamation, which was read by Commissioners' Chairman Wayne Nothstein, states, "The youth of Carbon County is one of the county's most valuable resources. One out of every five children in the United States is obese or at the risk of becoming obese. Obesity is now proven to be a direct cause of health-related diseases and costs business and industry millions of dollars each year."Data has proved that there is a direct relationship between increased soft drink consumption, inactivity and overweight children. It is further understood that high-sugar beverages provide limited nutritional value and should be consumed on a limited basis as per the food guide pyramid. There are other beverages available that offer nutritional advantages such as water, 100 percent fruit juices and milk."The proclamation urges all children, their parents and the residents of Carbon County to "restrain or restrict their consumption of empty calories as in soft drinks, iced tea and sports drinks."Farrow said Weatherly Area School District is the only school she knows of that has a wellness council and is participating in Pop-out Day.The school asks students to sign promises to be more aware of the drinks they consume."Pop-Out" day is part of a wellness project created by the Wellness Council of America.