Loading...
The obesity epidemic has fueled concerns that the consumption of soft drinks might adversely affect nutritional health. In a meta-analysis of 88 studies (many involving children), investigators assessed the effects of consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks on energy intake, weight, consumption of milk and calcium, nutrient intake, and overall health. Cross-sectional, longitudinal, and randomized trials were included.
Soft drink intake was associated with increased energy intake in 24 of 33 relevant studies (overall effect size, 0.16), including 4 randomized controlled trials that examined consumption for 3 to 10 weeks (average effect size, 0.30). Results of 32 studies that evaluated the relation between soft drink consumption and weight …