Study Finds Strong Link Between Soda And Obesity

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Photo by Tim Boyle / Getty Images

Above: A heavyset man passes cartons of Coca-Cola displayed in a grocery store in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Audio

Aired 9/17/09

A new study shows about six out of ten San Diego adolescents drink at least one soda or sugary soft drink a day. The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research says there's a strong correlation between soft drink consumption and weight.

SAN DIEGO — A new study shows about six out of ten San Diego adolescents drink at least one soda or sugary soft drink a day. The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research says there's a strong correlation between soft drink consumption and weight.

Teenagers are the biggest consumers of soft drinks. But adults like them, too. The UCLA study reveals one out of five adults in San Diego drinks at least one sugary soda a day.

UCLA research scientist Susan Babey wrote the study. She says adults who have one or more soft drinks a day are 27 percent more likely to be overweight.

"We tend to drink soda like it's water," Babey points out. "But it's not water, and every 20 ounce soda has an average of 17 teaspoons of sugar, which isn't very good for us."

Babey says over the last 30 years, Americans' daily caloric intake has gone up. An increase in soft drink consumption has been a big part of it.

FEATURED PODCAST

San Diego news; when you want it, where you want it. Get local stories on politics, education, health, environment, the border and more. New episodes are ready weekday mornings. Hosted by Anica Colbert and produced by KPBS, San Diego and the Imperial County's NPR and PBS station.