US teenagers are subject to far more soda advertising than ever before, according to a study from Yale University Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity.
Youngsters’ exposure to full-calorie soda commercials on TV doubled from 2008 to 2010, the study said.
Many fruit drinks and energy drinks popular with teenagers, have as much added sugar and calories as full-calorie soda, the study said.
“Our children are being assaulted by these drinks that are high in sugar and low in nutrition,” said Yale’s Kelly Brownell, co-author of the report. “The companies are marketing them in highly aggressive ways.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said about 15 percent of children are overweight or obese.
Children today are likely to have shorter life spans than their parents, which will affect their ability to work and pay taxes, while threatening to drive up healthcare costs, it added.
