When you see warning labels on household products such as bleach that read “Warning: Do not ingest - harmful to your health” you probably would not drink the solution. What would you do if you saw a similar warning on your favorite can of soda pop? Would you still drink it? Would you let your children drink it?

You may see such a warning in the future, if the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is successful in their lobbying efforts. CSPI is pushing to have obesity warning labels on soda cans, much the same as the surgeon general’s warning on cigarette packages.

The concern is not unfounded. Sweetened soft drinks are the only specific food that is directly linked to weight gain by clinical studies. Soda is not only very high in calories, but it has no nutritional value and induces hunger which leads to overeating. It is the ultimate junk food, not so fondly referred to as “liquid candy.”

Over the last thirty years, obesity rates have doubled in adults and tripled in teenagers. Is it only a coincidence that soda consumption has increased at a level that closely mirrors the rising obesity rates? Before reaching for that next soda, you may want to make a healthier choice. Your decision may just save yourself or your child from the consequences of obesity.