Increased consumption of soda promotes childhood obesity

Soft drinks are currently the leading source of added sugars in the daily diet of young Americans. Now, researchers have conducted the first long-term study to examine soda consumption and its precise impact on children’s body weight. Their findings show that for each additional daily serving of a sugar-sweetened soft drink, the incidence of obesity was significantly increased. The study’s authors found that, during the time of the study, 57 percent of the children increased their daily intake of sugar-sweetened soft drinks. More than half drank nearly a full extra serving per day. Researchers also found that the odds of becoming obese increased 1.6 times for each additional can or glass of sugar-sweetened soft drink consumed above the daily average.