Wetzel County has received the Healthy Choices Award from the West Virginia Healthy Lifestyles Coalition. The award was presented by the First Lady and Coalition Chair Gayle Manchin, on behalf of Governor Joe Manchin, on Oct. 15 during the School System Leadership Team Conference held in Charleston, W.Va.

The Healthy Choices Award was presented to counties that have voluntarily suspended the sale of soft drinks during the school day. Wetzel County is one of 42 county school systems that have voluntarily elected not to serve soft drinks during the school day as part of an effort to limit access to unhealthy snacks and beverages. Currently, state policy permits the sale of caffeine free soft drinks in high schools.

“We are pleased to see so many counties making this voluntary change,” said Gayle Manchin. “These schools are to be commended for taking a leadership role in doing what is best for students’ health.”

West Virginia consistently ranks near the top of the list nationally for the highest rate of obese and overweight adults according to the Centers for Disease Control.