Mar 26, 2014 12:20 PM EDT By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Students in schools where sugary drinks are available are more likely to be obese on the body mass index scale, according to a recent study.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia suggest that sugary drinks are heavily responsible for high levels of fat teenagers and are the "worst offenders in the fight against obesity," according to a press release.

Their findings were published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.

"This study adds to the mounting literature that shows the high concentration of sugar in soft drinks contributes to obesity in adolescents," lead author Louise Mâsse, an associate professor in the University of British Columbia's School of Population and Public Health, said in a statement.

For the study, researchers examined data from about 11,000 grade seven to 12 students in British Columbia schools who participated in the 2008 Adolescent Health survey. The data indicates that sugary drinks like soda increased the odds of obesity more than other foods such as pizza, french fries, chips and candies.

Researchers recommend that schools in British Columbia fully implement healthy eating guidelines to reduce their consumption. In 2005, the British Columbia government released guidelines for healthy eating that suggested sugary drinks not be sold in schools, but Mâsse, a scientist at the Child & Family Research Institute at BC Children's Hospital, said he believes full implementation is necessary to help address obesity trends.

"Schools have an important role in promoting healthy dietary habits," Mâsse said. "For example, students who are moderate consumers of these types of beverages were 60 per cent less likely to consume them in the schools that followed healthy nutrition guidelines."

Mâsse added that creating an environment within the school that is more conducive to healthy eating will likely provide the greatest benefit in supporting healthy weights among adolescents.

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