There is a strong correlation between drinking caffeinated soda and obesity – yes, if you drink soda, you will most likely gain weight, get fat, and not feel good about yourself.  So, for this Fitness Friday, how about you not drink any soda today.

In detail ¹,

researchers from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and the The California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA) released results of a study examining soda consumption patterns in California and Obesity rates among a sample of more than 45,000 adults and adolescents throughout the state.

The data used for the study came from the 2005 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) and included interviews with more than 43,000 adults and 4,000 adolescents from around the state. Review of the data revealed that adults who drank one or more soda per day were 27 percent more likely to be overweight than adults who do not drink soda. The data also revealed that 40 percent of children between two and eleven years of age drink at least one soda or sweetened drink per day. The results showed that 62 percent of adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age drink at least one soda or sweetened beverage per day. This, according to the researchers, is equivalent to consuming 39 pounds of sugar each year.

The highest rate of soda consumption in the state was in Kings County where 39.1% of all adults reported drinking one or more soda or sweetened drink per day. Kings also had one of the highest obesity rates — 63.8%. The lowest rate of soda consumption was in San Francisco county (10.9%). San Francisco also had the lowest rates of adult obesity (42.6%).