It's no secret - America has a serious weight problem. Even more troubling, youth obesity is on the rise making this generation the first whose life expectancy will be lower than their parents. That's why Coca-Cola is joining with the YMCA to fight this alarming trend. A recent year-long grant will be used to sponsor Youth Sports at the YMCA and continue making Coke's Vitamin Water, Coke Zero and Dasani bottled water products available to kids who are participating in YMCA events and programs.

Coke is also helping to fund a new kid-friendly recipe book. Written and produced by the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, the soon-to-be-released book will be given to all children and families in Y Preschool and After-School programs. It will feature healthy menus, valuable nutrition information and other food-related activities to help build health awareness among young people and their parents.

"Youth obesity is a major challenge and it's going to take all of us to meet it," says Matthew D. Sanderson III, District Sales Manager for The Mid-Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Inc. "We support the work and the mission of the YMCA and are pleased to join them as partners in keeping young people healthy, active and fit."

For more information, about the partnership, contact Lynn Skeele-Flynn, Vice President of Leadership Development at 757-962-5504 or lskeele-flynn@ymcashr.org.