Apr 23, 2014 05:52 PM EDT By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Minimizing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages  could significantly improve their health and combat the obesity epidemic in the United States, according to a recent study.

"There's no arguing with the fact that the high rates of obesity in the U.S. are troubling for our nation's health, specifically the recently reported rise in severe obesity among children in JAMA Pediatrics," Diana Thomas, spokesperson for The Obesity Society, said in a statement.

The Obesity Society defines sugar-sweetened beverages as sodas, sports drinks and other types of beverages that are primarily made up of water and added sugar. Consumption of these drinks in the United States remains high -- Americans report that sugar-sweetened beverages comprise 6 to 7 percent of overall calorie intake.

For the study, researcher's thoroughly reviewed and analyzed existing research on the subject. They concluded that by adding more non-nutritious calories to the American diet, sugar-sweetened beverages have contributed to the nation's obesity epidemic.

" Further, we recommend that to maintain and improve health children minimize drinking [sugar-sweetened beverages] and adults reduce or avoid [sugar-sweetened beverages] consumption as part of an overall strategy to reduce calories," Thomas added.

Researchers said weight gain occurs when total energy intake exceeds energy expenditure for extended periods of time. Because sugary drinks are a non-nutritious source of calories, decreasing and even eliminating them from the diet offers an excellent opportunity to reduce total energy intake.

The Obesity Society said a healthy alternative to sugary drinks is water, "a readily accessible, calorie-free source."

"Our efforts to help improve the food choices and environment for Americans certainly don't stop here," Steven R. Smith, president of The Obesity Society, said in a statement.

More research is needed to better understand the relationship between a reduction in the consumption sugar-sweetened beverages and weight loss in adults, "as well as the relationship between all energy-dense foods and weight," according to Smith.

The findings were recently published in JAMA Pediatrics.

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