New York Soda Ban Affects Overweight People, Not Poor People, Study Says

Despite concerns from different groups, a study has found that the proposed New York soda ban, struck down by the New York Supreme Court, would target overweight adults and children, not the poor.

The study, conducted by the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, found that overweight people are the ones most likely to order large sodas at restaurants and sporting arenas, according to Crain's New York.

The study followed 19,000 children and adults in the U.S. from 2007 to 2010; during that time, the participants reported daily what they had consumed the previous day. The research found that a little over 7 percent of people who consumed sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces purchased the beverages at fast food restaurants. The researchers did not find any relationship between the amount of sugary drinks consumed and level of income; though those who fall below the poverty line tend to consume more sugar, they bought sugary drinks in equal numbers to those with higher incomes.

"Our study shows that the soda ban would not hit the poor people, but rather overweight children and adults," said Dr. Claire Wang, a lead author of the study.