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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:February 15, 2001
Study Published in The Lancet is Wrong -- Soft Drinks Do Not Cause Pediatric Obesity
Study Draws a Different Conclusion than Recent Academic Research on the Subject
Physical Activity and a Balanced Diet Are Keys to a Healthy Lifestyle
(Washington, D.C.) "Obesity is a multi-faceted problem. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers as the authors of the study reported in the February 17th issues of The Lancet suggest. The most important things individuals can do to manage their weight are to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly," said Richard Adamson, Ph.D., NSDA Vice President of Scientific and Technical Affairs. "There are serious problems with this study. The age group of the children studied typically experience major changes in body type and Body Mass Index (BMI), and the sample does not represent a valid cross section of the American population. In fact, recent research on the subject by other academic organizations draws a vastly different conclusion. That research demonstrates that soft drink consumption by children is not related to increased BMI." Dr. Adamson said the problems with the study include:--Most researchers avoid studying children who are in the midst of dramatic physical changes due to the onset of puberty.
--The study was conducted in only one state, Massachusetts, where only 64% of the participants were Caucasian (as opposed to 88% in the general population). This study is not representative of either the children of Massachusetts or the nation.
--There were too few obese children in the study to draw any meaningful conclusions. After 19 months, one would expect to see a far greater increase in obesity to justify the conclusion. Of the 548 children studied, only 37 new cases of obesity occurred.
"Research by the Georgetown University Center for Food & Nutrition Policy and Michigan State University demonstrate that soft drink consumption by children is not related to increases in obesity," said Dr. Adamson. "Their research shows that overweight children consumed just two ounces more carbonated soft drinks than non-overweight children. This amount is of no practical significance. Another Georgetown study found that 'added sugars' intake is not linked to obesity among children and adolescents as measured by BMI."
"Regardless of the allegations of this study, our advice to consumers remains the same. A balanced diet and daily physical exercise are the keys to a healthy lifestyle. Childhood obesity is the result of many factors. Blaming it on any single factor, including soft drinks, is nutritional nonsense." concluded Dr. Adamson.
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The National Soft Drink Association is the premier trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.
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