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I wish to respond to the October 28 article by Shannon Montgomery titled "Number of teenagers with risk factors for heart disease...." which quotes an expert who wrongfully suggests that the two primary causes of childhood obesity are consumption of sweetened beverages and watching too much TV.

A 2005 study by researchers at Queen's University and funded by Health Canada surveyed 137,000 children across 34 countries and concluded that there was no correlation between the overweight status of adolescent children and any particular food or beverage (including soft drinks). It also concluded that overweight kids simply need to become more active and undertake less sedentary activities (such as watching television).

Like many foods, soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages are a source of calories, but they are not a unique risk factor for obesity or other negative health outcomes - including heart disease. The experts will tell you that no single food causes obesity. In fact, no single food or food ingredient can be held responsible for weight gain - the human body does not differentiate the source of calories consumed to produce energy in active people or store them as fat in inactive people.

The solution to obesity lies in encouraging healthy active lifestyles that balance calories in to calories out.  This is something the beverage industry supports and encourages by helping consumers make appropriate choices.  We do this in three ways - by providing easy access to calorie and nutrition information, promoting physical activity and beverage innovation. The industry produces a full range of low and no calorie beverage choices for the thirsty consumer on the go.

Refreshments Canada is the national trade association representing the broad spectrum of brands and companies that manufacture and distribute the majority of non-alcoholic liquid refreshment beverages consumed in Canada.
 
For more information please contact:
 
Justin Sherwood
President
Refreshments Canada

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