Private MD News

New York becomes first city to restrict soda sales at restaurants

Category: General Wellness

Unhealthy drinks such as soda can no longer legally be sold in quantities larger than 16 ounces at restaurants, cafeterias and concession stands in New York City.

People who drink too many carbonated sugary beverages may not like what they discover if they undergo blood testing for diabetes, as unhealthy diet choices have been linked to the development of obesity and insulin disorders.

"Obesity for the first time in the history of the world will kill more people this year than starvation. It has gone from [being] a rich person's disease to a poor person's disease. It's the only public health issue that's getting worse," said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, quoted by the news source Bloomberg.

World Health Organization confirms the mayor's statement, reporting that 65 percent of all people reside in countries where illnesses related to weight problems cause more deaths than malnutrition. In addition to diabetes, overweight and obesity can lead to unfavorable results of blood testing for high cholesterol and blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.