Soft drinks, weight status and health: a review

The prevention of overweight and obesity, particularly among children, is a public health priority. A range of initiatives to address this problem have already been developed and implemented in NSW. However, a broader range of additional strategies are needed to effectively address this complex issue. The high consumption of soft drinks, i.e. sugarsweetened carbonated beverages, and other sugary drinks is one of an array of dietary behaviours which has been identified by a number of policy documents as an important, specific behaviour to address in the prevention and management of obesity.