Health experts are accusing Coca Cola of providing flawed teachings about obesity. The largest beverage company is now facing controversy after funding a new organization that focuses on the significance of exercise over diet to the health of an individual.
Coca Cola has always been a subject of criticisms because of the health effects of its sugary products. To divert the attention of the masses and health authorities, the company provided logistical and financial aid to the Global Energy Balance Network. The said network promotes the concept that exercise is more important than healthy diet and is the key to lose weight and gain a healthy body.
Steve Blair, an exercise scientist who is also the Vice President of GEBN says energy balance is the answer to obesity. According to the group's teachings, people should burn the same amount of calories they take in to maintain a desirable weight.
If we want to overcome the global #obesity epidemic, we must first understand #energybalance. https://t.co/iKDsz5wab1
— GEBN (@gebnetwk) June 27, 2015
Health professionals say that the idea is flawed and misleading. Dr Yoni Freedhoff, an obesity expert says that, "Providing this message that you can balance your input and your output, it's a flawed message."
"For me the words energy balance is a red flag in the context of obesity. The fact of the matter is it's not a fair balance and we can't outrun our forks very efficiently," Freedhoff added.
Experts suggest that losing weight can only be effectively achieved by eating less which should start by cutting sugary food and drink consumption. Evidence shows that exercise has only minimal impact on weight.
Coco Cola products contribute to the increasing global problem about obesity and diabetes. To deflect criticisms, the multinational company is trying to convince the people that physical activity can counterbalance bad diet.
Reports reveal that the beverage company donated $1.5 million to GEBN in the year 2014. Spending large amount of money for the sympathetic group seems to be the only way for Coca Cola to keep and unlink its name from being one of the cause of obesity.
