Coca-Cola
Funds Scientists Who Shift Blame for Obesity Away From Bad Diets
Funds Scientists Who Shift Blame for Obesity Away From Bad Diets
- · ·
An image
from a video by the Coca-Cola Foundation. In November 2012, the foundation
announced a $3 million grant to Chicago's Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance.
The grant was intended to establish a wellness program.
from a video by the Coca-Cola Foundation. In November 2012, the foundation
announced a $3 million grant to Chicago's Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance.
The grant was intended to establish a wellness program.
By ANAHAD O’CONNOR
August 9, 2015
Coca-Cola,
the world’s largest producer of sugary beverages, is backing a new
“science-based” solution to the obesity crisis: To maintain a healthy weight,
get more exercise and worry less about cutting calories.
the world’s largest producer of sugary beverages, is backing a new
“science-based” solution to the obesity crisis: To maintain a healthy weight,
get more exercise and worry less about cutting calories.
The
beverage giant has teamed up with influential scientists who are advancing this
message in medical journals, at conferences and through social media. To help
the scientists get the word out, Coke has provided financial and logistical
support to a new nonprofit organization called the Global Energy Balance
Network, which promotes the argument that weight-conscious Americans are overly
fixated on how much they eat and drink while not paying enough attention to
exercise.
beverage giant has teamed up with influential scientists who are advancing this
message in medical journals, at conferences and through social media. To help
the scientists get the word out, Coke has provided financial and logistical
support to a new nonprofit organization called the Global Energy Balance
Network, which promotes the argument that weight-conscious Americans are overly
fixated on how much they eat and drink while not paying enough attention to
exercise.
“Most of
the focus in the popular media and in the scientific press is, ‘Oh they’re
eating too much, eating too much, eating too much’ — blaming fast food, blaming
sugary drinks and so on,” the group’s vice president, Steven N. Blair, an
exercise scientist, says in a recent video announcing the new organization.
“And there’s really virtually no compelling evidence that that, in fact, is the
cause.”
the focus in the popular media and in the scientific press is, ‘Oh they’re
eating too much, eating too much, eating too much’ — blaming fast food, blaming
sugary drinks and so on,” the group’s vice president, Steven N. Blair, an
exercise scientist, says in a recent video announcing the new organization.
“And there’s really virtually no compelling evidence that that, in fact, is the
cause.”
Health
experts say this message is misleading and part of an effort by Coke to deflect
criticism about the role sugary drinks have played in the spread of obesity and
Type 2 diabetes. They contend that the company is using the new group to
convince the public that physical activity can offset a bad diet despite evidence that exercise has only minimal impact on
weight compared with what people consume.
experts say this message is misleading and part of an effort by Coke to deflect
criticism about the role sugary drinks have played in the spread of obesity and
Type 2 diabetes. They contend that the company is using the new group to
convince the public that physical activity can offset a bad diet despite evidence that exercise has only minimal impact on
weight compared with what people consume.
This
clash over the science of obesity comes in a period of rising efforts to tax
sugary drinks, remove them from schools and stop companies from marketing them
to children. In the last two decades, consumption of full-calorie sodas by the
average American has dropped by 25 percent.
clash over the science of obesity comes in a period of rising efforts to tax
sugary drinks, remove them from schools and stop companies from marketing them
to children. In the last two decades, consumption of full-calorie sodas by the
average American has dropped by 25 percent.
“Coca-Cola’s
sales are slipping, and there’s this huge political and public backlash against
soda, with every major city trying to do something to curb consumption,” said
Michele Simon, a public health lawyer. “This is a direct response to the ways
that the company is losing. They’re desperate to stop the bleeding.”
sales are slipping, and there’s this huge political and public backlash against
soda, with every major city trying to do something to curb consumption,” said
Michele Simon, a public health lawyer. “This is a direct response to the ways
that the company is losing. They’re desperate to stop the bleeding.”
Coke has
made a substantial investment in the new nonprofit. In response to requests
based on state open-records laws, two universities that employ leaders of the
Global Energy Balance Network disclosed that Coke had donated $1.5 million last
year to start the organization.
made a substantial investment in the new nonprofit. In response to requests
based on state open-records laws, two universities that employ leaders of the
Global Energy Balance Network disclosed that Coke had donated $1.5 million last
year to start the organization.
Since
2008, the company has also provided close to $4 million in funding for various
projects to two of the organization’s founding members: Dr. Blair, a professor
at the University of South Carolina whose research over the past 25 years has
formed much of the basis of federal guidelines on physical activity, and
Gregory A. Hand, dean of the West Virginia University School of Public Health.
2008, the company has also provided close to $4 million in funding for various
projects to two of the organization’s founding members: Dr. Blair, a professor
at the University of South Carolina whose research over the past 25 years has
formed much of the basis of federal guidelines on physical activity, and
Gregory A. Hand, dean of the West Virginia University School of Public Health.
Records
show that the network’s website, gebn.org, is registered to Coca-Cola
headquarters in Atlanta, and the company is also listed as the site’s
administrator. The group’s president, James O. Hill, a professor at the
University of Colorado School of Medicine, said Coke had registered the website
because the network’s members did not know how.
show that the network’s website, gebn.org, is registered to Coca-Cola
headquarters in Atlanta, and the company is also listed as the site’s
administrator. The group’s president, James O. Hill, a professor at the
University of Colorado School of Medicine, said Coke had registered the website
because the network’s members did not know how.
“They’re
not running the show,” he said. “We’re running the show.”
not running the show,” he said. “We’re running the show.”
Coca-Cola’s
public relations department repeatedly declined requests for an interview with its
chief scientific officer, Rhona Applebaum, who has called attention to the new group on Twitter. In a statement,
the company said it had a long history of supporting scientific research
related to its beverages and topics such as energy balance.
public relations department repeatedly declined requests for an interview with its
chief scientific officer, Rhona Applebaum, who has called attention to the new group on Twitter. In a statement,
the company said it had a long history of supporting scientific research
related to its beverages and topics such as energy balance.
“We
partner with some of the foremost experts in the fields of nutrition and
physical activity,” the statement said. “It’s important to us that the
researchers we work with share their own views and scientific findings,
regardless of the outcome, and are transparent and open about our funding.”
partner with some of the foremost experts in the fields of nutrition and
physical activity,” the statement said. “It’s important to us that the
researchers we work with share their own views and scientific findings,
regardless of the outcome, and are transparent and open about our funding.”
Dr. Blair
and other scientists affiliated with the group said that Coke had no control
over its work or message and that they saw no problem with the company’s
support because they had been transparent about it.
and other scientists affiliated with the group said that Coke had no control
over its work or message and that they saw no problem with the company’s
support because they had been transparent about it.
But as of
last week, the group’s Twitter and Facebook
pages, which promote physical activity as a solution to chronic disease and
obesity while remaining largely silent on the role of food and nutrition, made
no mention of Coca-Cola’s financial support. So far, the social media campaign
has failed to gain much traction: As of Friday, the group had fewer than 1,000
followers on Twitter.
last week, the group’s Twitter and Facebook
pages, which promote physical activity as a solution to chronic disease and
obesity while remaining largely silent on the role of food and nutrition, made
no mention of Coca-Cola’s financial support. So far, the social media campaign
has failed to gain much traction: As of Friday, the group had fewer than 1,000
followers on Twitter.
A
screengrab from the video about Coke's commitment to promoting fitness in
Chicago.
screengrab from the video about Coke's commitment to promoting fitness in
Chicago.
The
group’s website also omitted mention of Coke’s backing until Dr. Yoni
Freedhoff, an obesity expert at the University of Ottawa, wrote to the
organization to inquire about its funding. Dr. Blair said this was an oversight
that had been quickly corrected.
group’s website also omitted mention of Coke’s backing until Dr. Yoni
Freedhoff, an obesity expert at the University of Ottawa, wrote to the
organization to inquire about its funding. Dr. Blair said this was an oversight
that had been quickly corrected.
“As soon
as we discovered that we didn’t have not only Coca-Cola but other funding
sources on the website, we put it on there,” Dr. Blair said. “Does that make us
totally corrupt in everything we do?”
as we discovered that we didn’t have not only Coca-Cola but other funding
sources on the website, we put it on there,” Dr. Blair said. “Does that make us
totally corrupt in everything we do?”
Coke’s
involvement in the new organization is not the only example of corporate-funded
research and advocacy to come under fire lately. The American Society for
Nutrition and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics have been criticized by public health advocates for
forming partnerships with companies such as Kraft Foods, McDonald’s,
PepsiCo and Hershey’s. Dietitians have also faced criticism for taking payments from Coke to present
the company’s soda as a healthy snack.
involvement in the new organization is not the only example of corporate-funded
research and advocacy to come under fire lately. The American Society for
Nutrition and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics have been criticized by public health advocates for
forming partnerships with companies such as Kraft Foods, McDonald’s,
PepsiCo and Hershey’s. Dietitians have also faced criticism for taking payments from Coke to present
the company’s soda as a healthy snack.
Critics say
Coke has long cast the obesity epidemic as primarily an exercise problem. “The
message is that obesity is not about the foods or beverages you’re consuming,
it’s that you’re not balancing those foods with exercise,” Dr. Freedhoff of the
University of Ottawa said.
Coke has long cast the obesity epidemic as primarily an exercise problem. “The
message is that obesity is not about the foods or beverages you’re consuming,
it’s that you’re not balancing those foods with exercise,” Dr. Freedhoff of the
University of Ottawa said.
Now,
public health advocates say, Coca-Cola is going a step further, recruiting
reputable scientists to make the case for them.
public health advocates say, Coca-Cola is going a step further, recruiting
reputable scientists to make the case for them.
Dr. Hill,
the nonprofit’s president, is a co-founder of the National Weight Control Registry, a long-term study of
people who have lost weight, and has served on committees for the
World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health. The American
Society for Nutrition refers to him as “a leader in the fight against the global
obesity epidemic.”
the nonprofit’s president, is a co-founder of the National Weight Control Registry, a long-term study of
people who have lost weight, and has served on committees for the
World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health. The American
Society for Nutrition refers to him as “a leader in the fight against the global
obesity epidemic.”
Barry M.
Popkin, a professor of global nutrition at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, said Coke’s support of prominent health researchers was
reminiscent of tactics used by the tobacco industry, which enlisted experts to
become “merchants of doubt” about the health hazards of smoking.
Popkin, a professor of global nutrition at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, said Coke’s support of prominent health researchers was
reminiscent of tactics used by the tobacco industry, which enlisted experts to
become “merchants of doubt” about the health hazards of smoking.
Marion
Nestle, the author of the book “Soda Politics” and a professor of nutrition,
food studies and public health at New York University, was especially blunt:
“The Global Energy Balance Network is nothing but a front group for Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola’s agenda here is very clear: Get these researchers to confuse the
science and deflect attention from dietary intake.”
Nestle, the author of the book “Soda Politics” and a professor of nutrition,
food studies and public health at New York University, was especially blunt:
“The Global Energy Balance Network is nothing but a front group for Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola’s agenda here is very clear: Get these researchers to confuse the
science and deflect attention from dietary intake.”
Funding
from the food industry is not uncommon in scientific research. But studies
suggest that the funds tend to bias findings. A recent analysis of beverage
studies, published in the journal PLOS Medicine,
found that those funded by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, the American Beverage
Association and the sugar industry were five times more likely to find no link
between sugary drinks and weight gain than studies whose authors reported no
financial conflicts.
from the food industry is not uncommon in scientific research. But studies
suggest that the funds tend to bias findings. A recent analysis of beverage
studies, published in the journal PLOS Medicine,
found that those funded by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, the American Beverage
Association and the sugar industry were five times more likely to find no link
between sugary drinks and weight gain than studies whose authors reported no
financial conflicts.
On its website,
the new nonprofit promises to be “the voice of science” in discussions about
healthy lifestyles and contends that the concept of energy balance provides “a
new science-based framework” for achieving a stable body weight.
the new nonprofit promises to be “the voice of science” in discussions about
healthy lifestyles and contends that the concept of energy balance provides “a
new science-based framework” for achieving a stable body weight.
The group
says there is “strong evidence” that the key to preventing weight gain is not
reducing food intake — as many public health experts recommend — “but
maintaining an active lifestyle and eating more calories.” To back
up this contention, the group provides links to two research
papers, each of which contains this footnote: “The publication of this article
was supported by The Coca-Cola Company.”
says there is “strong evidence” that the key to preventing weight gain is not
reducing food intake — as many public health experts recommend — “but
maintaining an active lifestyle and eating more calories.” To back
up this contention, the group provides links to two research
papers, each of which contains this footnote: “The publication of this article
was supported by The Coca-Cola Company.”
In March,
Dr. Hill, Dr. Blair, and Dr. Hand announced the creation of the organization in
an editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
They argued that the public and many scientists largely overlooked physical
inactivity as a cause of obesity. They said they were creating the Global
Energy Balance Network to raise awareness “about both sides of the energy
balance equation.”
Dr. Hill, Dr. Blair, and Dr. Hand announced the creation of the organization in
an editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
They argued that the public and many scientists largely overlooked physical
inactivity as a cause of obesity. They said they were creating the Global
Energy Balance Network to raise awareness “about both sides of the energy
balance equation.”
The
editorial contained a disclosure that the group had received an “unrestricted
education gift” from Coca-Cola.
editorial contained a disclosure that the group had received an “unrestricted
education gift” from Coca-Cola.
In
response to a request made under the state Freedom of Information Act, the
University of South Carolina disclosed that Dr. Blair had received more than
$3.5 million in funding from Coke for research projects since 2008.
response to a request made under the state Freedom of Information Act, the
University of South Carolina disclosed that Dr. Blair had received more than
$3.5 million in funding from Coke for research projects since 2008.
The
university also disclosed that Coca-Cola had provided significant funding to
Dr. Hand, who left the University of South Carolina last year for West
Virginia. The company gave him $806,500 for an “energy flux” study in 2011 and
$507,000 last year to establish the Global Energy Balance Network.
university also disclosed that Coca-Cola had provided significant funding to
Dr. Hand, who left the University of South Carolina last year for West
Virginia. The company gave him $806,500 for an “energy flux” study in 2011 and
$507,000 last year to establish the Global Energy Balance Network.
It is
unclear how much of the money, if any, ended up as personal income for the
professors.
unclear how much of the money, if any, ended up as personal income for the
professors.
“As long
as everybody is disclosing their potential conflicts and they’re being managed
appropriately, that’s the best that you can do,” Dr. Hand said. “It makes
perfect sense that companies would want the best science that they can get.”
as everybody is disclosing their potential conflicts and they’re being managed
appropriately, that’s the best that you can do,” Dr. Hand said. “It makes
perfect sense that companies would want the best science that they can get.”
Three
scientists who helped start the new nonprofit supported by Coke, from left:
Steven N. Blair, a professor in the department of exercise science,
epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina;
James O. Hill, a professor at the University of Colorado School of
Medicine; and Gregory A. Hand, dean of the West Virginia University
School of Public Health.
scientists who helped start the new nonprofit supported by Coke, from left:
Steven N. Blair, a professor in the department of exercise science,
epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina;
James O. Hill, a professor at the University of Colorado School of
Medicine; and Gregory A. Hand, dean of the West Virginia University
School of Public Health.
University
of Colorado, West Virginia University
of Colorado, West Virginia University
The
group’s president, Dr. Hill, also has financial ties to Coca-Cola. The company
last year gave an “unrestricted monetary gift” of $1 million to the University
of Colorado Foundation. In response to a request made under the Colorado Open
Records Act, the university said that Coca-Cola had provided the money “for the
purposes of funding” the Global Energy Balance Network.
group’s president, Dr. Hill, also has financial ties to Coca-Cola. The company
last year gave an “unrestricted monetary gift” of $1 million to the University
of Colorado Foundation. In response to a request made under the Colorado Open
Records Act, the university said that Coca-Cola had provided the money “for the
purposes of funding” the Global Energy Balance Network.
Dr. Hill
said he had sought money from Coke to start the nonprofit because there was no
funding available from his university. The group’s website says it is also
supported by a few universities and ShareWIK Media Group, a producer of videos
about health. Dr. Hill said that he had also received a commitment of help from
General Mills, as well as promises of support from other businesses, which had
not formally confirmed their offers.
said he had sought money from Coke to start the nonprofit because there was no
funding available from his university. The group’s website says it is also
supported by a few universities and ShareWIK Media Group, a producer of videos
about health. Dr. Hill said that he had also received a commitment of help from
General Mills, as well as promises of support from other businesses, which had
not formally confirmed their offers.
He said
he believed public health authorities could more easily change the way people
eat by working with the food industry instead of against it.
he believed public health authorities could more easily change the way people
eat by working with the food industry instead of against it.
On its
website, the group recommends combining greater exercise and food intake
because, Dr. Hill said, “ ‘Eat less’ has never been a message that’s been
effective. The message should be ‘Move more and eat smarter.’ ”
website, the group recommends combining greater exercise and food intake
because, Dr. Hill said, “ ‘Eat less’ has never been a message that’s been
effective. The message should be ‘Move more and eat smarter.’ ”
He
emphasized that weight loss involved a combination of complex factors and that
his group’s goal was not to play down the role of diet or to portray obesity as
solely a problem of inadequate exercise.
emphasized that weight loss involved a combination of complex factors and that
his group’s goal was not to play down the role of diet or to portray obesity as
solely a problem of inadequate exercise.
“If we
are out there saying it’s all about physical activity and it’s not about food,
then we deserve criticism,” he said. “But I think we haven’t done that.”
are out there saying it’s all about physical activity and it’s not about food,
then we deserve criticism,” he said. “But I think we haven’t done that.”
But in
news releases and on its website, the group has struck a different tone.
news releases and on its website, the group has struck a different tone.
“The
media tends to blame the obesity epidemic on our poor eating habits,” one recent news release states. “But are
those french fries really the culprit? Dr. Steve Blair explains that you
shouldn’t believe everything you see on TV.”
media tends to blame the obesity epidemic on our poor eating habits,” one recent news release states. “But are
those french fries really the culprit? Dr. Steve Blair explains that you
shouldn’t believe everything you see on TV.”
Dr. Yoni
Freedhoff, an obesity expert at the University of Ottawa.
Freedhoff, an obesity expert at the University of Ottawa.
Justin
Tang for The New York Times
Tang for The New York Times
In the
news release, Dr. Blair suggests that sedentary behavior is a bigger factor.
news release, Dr. Blair suggests that sedentary behavior is a bigger factor.
Most
public health experts say that energy balance is an important concept, because
weight gain for most people is about calories in vs. calories out. But the
experts say research makes it clear that one side of the equation has a far greater effect.
public health experts say that energy balance is an important concept, because
weight gain for most people is about calories in vs. calories out. But the
experts say research makes it clear that one side of the equation has a far greater effect.
While
people can lose weight in several ways, many studies suggest that those who
keep it off for good consume fewer calories. Growing evidence
also suggests that maintaining weight loss is easier when people
limit their intake of high glycemic foods such as sugary drinks and other
refined carbohydrates, which sharply raise blood sugar.
people can lose weight in several ways, many studies suggest that those who
keep it off for good consume fewer calories. Growing evidence
also suggests that maintaining weight loss is easier when people
limit their intake of high glycemic foods such as sugary drinks and other
refined carbohydrates, which sharply raise blood sugar.
Physical
activity is important and certainly helps, experts say. But studies show that exercise increases appetite, causing
people to consume more calories. Exercise also expends far fewer calories than
most people think. A 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola, for example, contains 140
calories and roughly 10 teaspoons of sugar. “It takes three miles of walking to
offset that one can of Coke,” Dr. Popkin said.
activity is important and certainly helps, experts say. But studies show that exercise increases appetite, causing
people to consume more calories. Exercise also expends far fewer calories than
most people think. A 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola, for example, contains 140
calories and roughly 10 teaspoons of sugar. “It takes three miles of walking to
offset that one can of Coke,” Dr. Popkin said.
In one of
the most rigorous studies of physical activity and weight loss, published in the journal Obesity,
scientists recruited 200 overweight, sedentary adults and put them on an
aggressive exercise program. To isolate the effects of exercise on their
weight, the subjects were instructed not to make any changes in their diets.
the most rigorous studies of physical activity and weight loss, published in the journal Obesity,
scientists recruited 200 overweight, sedentary adults and put them on an
aggressive exercise program. To isolate the effects of exercise on their
weight, the subjects were instructed not to make any changes in their diets.
Participants
were monitored to ensure they exercised five to six hours a week, more than
double the 2.5 weekly hours of exercise recommended in federal guidelines.
After a year, the men had lost an average of just 3.5 pounds, the women 2.5.
Almost everyone was still overweight or obese.
were monitored to ensure they exercised five to six hours a week, more than
double the 2.5 weekly hours of exercise recommended in federal guidelines.
After a year, the men had lost an average of just 3.5 pounds, the women 2.5.
Almost everyone was still overweight or obese.
“Adding
exercise to a diet program helps,” said Dr. Anne McTiernan, the lead author of
the study and a researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle.
“But for weight loss, you’re going to get much more impact with diet changes.”
exercise to a diet program helps,” said Dr. Anne McTiernan, the lead author of
the study and a researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle.
“But for weight loss, you’re going to get much more impact with diet changes.”
But much
like the research on sugary drinks, studies of physical activity funded by the
beverage industry tend to reach conclusions that differ from the findings of
studies by independent scientists.
like the research on sugary drinks, studies of physical activity funded by the
beverage industry tend to reach conclusions that differ from the findings of
studies by independent scientists.
Last
week, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana announced
the findings of a large new study on exercise in children that
determined that lack of physical activity “is the biggest predictor of
childhood obesity around the world.”
week, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana announced
the findings of a large new study on exercise in children that
determined that lack of physical activity “is the biggest predictor of
childhood obesity around the world.”
The news
release contained a disclosure: “This research was funded by The Coca-Cola
Company.”
release contained a disclosure: “This research was funded by The Coca-Cola
Company.”
Kelly D.
Brownell, dean of the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke, said that as a
business, Coke “focused on pushing a lot of calories in, but then their
philanthropy is focused on the calories out part, the exercise.”
Brownell, dean of the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke, said that as a
business, Coke “focused on pushing a lot of calories in, but then their
philanthropy is focused on the calories out part, the exercise.”
In recent
years, Coke has donated money to build fitness centers in more than 100 schools
across the country. It sponsors a program called “Exercise is Medicine” to
encourage doctors to prescribe physical activity to patients. And when
Chicago’s City Council proposed a soda tax in 2012 to help address the
city’s obesity problem, Coca-Cola donated $3 million to establish fitness programs
in more than 60 of the city’s community centers.
years, Coke has donated money to build fitness centers in more than 100 schools
across the country. It sponsors a program called “Exercise is Medicine” to
encourage doctors to prescribe physical activity to patients. And when
Chicago’s City Council proposed a soda tax in 2012 to help address the
city’s obesity problem, Coca-Cola donated $3 million to establish fitness programs
in more than 60 of the city’s community centers.
The
initiative to tax soda ultimately failed.
initiative to tax soda ultimately failed.
“Reversing
the obesity trend won’t happen overnight,” Coca-Cola said in
an ad for its Chicago exercise initiative. “But for thousands of
families in Chicago, it starts now, with the next push-up, a single situp or a
jumping jack.”
the obesity trend won’t happen overnight,” Coca-Cola said in
an ad for its Chicago exercise initiative. “But for thousands of
families in Chicago, it starts now, with the next push-up, a single situp or a
jumping jack.”
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