Atlanta – Many people enjoy drinking soda, fruit drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages. However, people in certain parts of the country might consume these drinks more than other people.
In a survey of adults in 18 states, 26.3 percent said they drink soda, fruit drinks or both at least once a day, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those, 17.1 percent drink regular soda and 11.6 percent consume fruit drinks.
CDC examined data from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The survey excluded diet soda, sports and energy drinks, and sweetened tea.
Mississippi and Tennessee had the highest frequency of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption at 41.4 percent and 39.2 percent, respectively. Hawaii (20.4 percent) and New Hampshire (20.8 percent) had the lowest. The report states that it is unclear why differences among the states occur, although food environment and beverage marketing are possible factors.
Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages can lead to obesity and other chronic health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the report warns. Healthier options include water, unsweetened tea and fat-free milk.
The report was published in CDC’s Aug. 15 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
