The Burden of Obesity in The Burden of Obesity in North CarolinaNorth Carolina

Soft Drink ConsumptionSoft Drink Consumption

Soft Drink ConsumptionSoft Drink Consumption

Between 1970 and 1997, yearly per capita Between 1970 and 1997, yearly per capita consumption of non-diet soft drinks rose consumption of non-diet soft drinks rose 86% in the United States. The prevalence 86% in the United States. The prevalence of obesity increased 112% during that of obesity increased 112% during that same time.same time.

The most popular American beverage is The most popular American beverage is the carbonated soft drink, which accounts the carbonated soft drink, which accounts for 28% of total beverage consumption. for 28% of total beverage consumption. Milk is accounts for about 11%.Milk is accounts for about 11%.

U.S. Daily Soft Drink ConsumptionU.S. Daily Soft Drink Consumption

More than half (56%) More than half (56%) of 8-year-olds drink of 8-year-olds drink soft drinks daily.soft drinks daily.

Most adolescents, Most adolescents, 65% of girls and 74% 65% of girls and 74% of boys, drink soft of boys, drink soft drinks daily.drinks daily.

Children (Age 8-14) Consuming Soft Children (Age 8-14) Consuming Soft Drinks DailyDrinks Daily

Percentage of Children and Youth Who Consume Soft Drinks Daily (2001)

83%78%

56%72%

0

20

40

60

80

100

8 years 9-13 years 14 year-old girls 14 year-oldboys

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Squires S. Soft drinks, hard facts: research suggests kids w ho drink a lot of soft drinks risk becoming fat, w eak-boned, cavity-prone and caffeine addicted. Washington Post; February 27, 2001, p.HE10.

Soda is the most common soft drink.Soda is the most common soft drink.

On average, adolescents On average, adolescents get 15 teaspoons of get 15 teaspoons of sugar from soft drinks sugar from soft drinks daily.daily.

A 12-ounce can of soda A 12-ounce can of soda has 150 calories and 10 has 150 calories and 10 teaspoons of sugar in teaspoons of sugar in the form of high-fructose the form of high-fructose corn syrup. corn syrup.

High-Fructose Corn SyrupHigh-Fructose Corn Syrup

High-fructose corn syrup is a sweetener High-fructose corn syrup is a sweetener developed from processing corn that is developed from processing corn that is added to regular soda.added to regular soda.

One soda a day could lead to a weight One soda a day could lead to a weight gain of 15 pounds in one year.gain of 15 pounds in one year.

For each additional sugar-sweetened drink For each additional sugar-sweetened drink consumed daily, adult BMI increased by consumed daily, adult BMI increased by 60%.60%.

Is Diet Soda Better?Is Diet Soda Better?

Surprisingly, the risk of Surprisingly, the risk of obesity in people only obesity in people only drinking diet soft drinks drinking diet soft drinks was even higher than was even higher than regular soda. regular soda.

There was a 41% There was a 41% increase in risk of being increase in risk of being overweight for every can overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each a person consumes each day. day.

Regular and Diet Soda Increase Regular and Diet Soda Increase Obesity RiskObesity Risk

Increased Risk of Adult Obesity, by Daily Soft Drink Consumption, (2005)

26%37%30% 38%33%

55%47%57%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

Regular Soda Diet Soda

Daily Consumption

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1/2 can

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Source: Fow ler, S.P. 65th Annual Scientif ic Sessions, American Diabetes Association, San Diego, June 10-14, 2005; Abstract 1058-P. Sharon P. Fow ler, MPH, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine, San Antonio.

Soda vs. MilkSoda vs. Milk

U.S. youth are U.S. youth are drinking twice as drinking twice as much soda as milk.much soda as milk.

Only three in ten Only three in ten (36%) boys and (36%) boys and less than two in ten less than two in ten (14%) girls are (14%) girls are getting enough getting enough calcium. calcium.