The American Cancer Society advocacy affiliate is calling for a comprehensive review of sugary drinks and it’s role in America’s obesity epidemic. With obesity rates projected to reach over 40 percent in the next 20 years, along with the spiraling health costs that come with it, the group is pressing forward with an urgent, comprehensive proposal. They are asking for a review along the lines of the U.S. Surgeon General’s landmark report on the dangers of smoking in 1964.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network wrote:
“An unbiased and comprehensive report on the impact of sugar-sweetened beverages could have a major impact on the public’s consciousness and perhaps begin to change the direction of public behavior in their choices of food and drinks. There seems to be a consensus about the problem and the cause, but what is lacking is an articulate, science-based and comprehensive national plan of action.”
The American Beverage Association insists that sugary drinks are not to blame for our nation’s weight problem, adding that there have already been enough studies done. They responded:
“We already have studies from the federal government and independent third parties that demonstrate soft drinks are not a unique or significant contributor to obesity.”
But while soft drinks may not be the main cause of obesity, poor health and lack of exercise are, and that includes sugary drinks.
“There is an obesity epidemic … and one in three cancer deaths are due to nutrition and physical activities, including overweight and obesity,” Dick Woodruff, vice President of federal affairs for the cancer society’s advocacy arm told Reuters.
Do you think it will make a difference if there’s a Surgeon General’s warning on soda labels, or will people continue to guzzle down their favorite soft drinks?
