Soft drinks, weight status and health: health professional update

Authors

Anna Rangan, University of Sydney
Debra Hector, University of Sydney
Jimmy Chun Yu Louie, University of SydneyFollow
Victoria M. Flood, University of WollongongFollow
Tim Gill, University of Sydney

RIS ID

30820

Publication Details

A. Rangan, D. Hector, J. Louie, V. M. Flood & T. Gill 2009, Soft drinks, weight status and health: health professional update, NSW Cluster of Public Health Nutrition, Sydney, Australia.

Abstract

High consumption of soft drinks and other sugary drinks are associated with a number of health problems, including overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and dental caries. In Australia, soft drinks are the most commonly consumed sugary beverage and have been singled out for specific attention as a target of obesity prevention programs. Soft drinks are well-known, readily available and marketed extensively, especially to adolescents. They have no nutritional value other than sugar and fluid, and are identified in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating as an ‘extra’ food – one that should be consumed only occasionally and in small amounts.