Q:
A recent study
suggested the lack of exercise as the largest contributor to the obesity
epidemic and that diet, specifically consumption of soda and other sugary
drinks, had minimal impact on obesity.
Are sugary drinks getting a bad rap?
A:
A recent study did suggest that diets high in sugar are not
to blame for the skyrocketing obesity rates and indicated the lack of exercise
as the main reason for obesity. The
study has received a lot of press because the study was funded by Coca Cola.
There is some debate about which is more important, diet or
exercise, in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
There is also debate on the impact of sugary drinks on health as
consumption of sugary drinks is also linked to other unhealthy habits
(sedentary lifestyle, high fast food consumption, etc). However, numerous studies have shown a link
between poor health and sugary drink consumption:
•
Adding one can of soda every day to your diet,
and not cutting back on calories elsewhere, can result in an additional five
pounds in body weight by the end of a year.
•
Regular consumption of sugary drinks increases
your chances of Type II Diabetes by 26%.
•
A two-decade long study found men who averaged a
sugary drink per day increased their risk of heart attacks or dying of a heart
attack by 20% compared to men who rarely consumed sugary drinks.
•
Sugary drinks are the top calorie source in
children’s and teens’ diets (226 calories per day).
•
Sugary drinks are a major contributor to tooth
decay.
•
Sugary drinks consumption has a negative impact
on bone density.
The following websites were used as references in answering
the question: