New York City has recently passed in to law, a ban of large soda containers; they are taking a stand against soda corporations and freeing themselves from the engulfing influence of these companies. Large soda corporations have their hands in every aspect of Americans' lives, including their health. Diseases such as diabetes, hyperextension, and osteoporosis have seen a recent spike due to the 135% increase in the consumption of sugary drinks. The government of the State of South Carolina, along with its students and citizens, must take a stand against soda companies in order to protect the health of the people. 

Growing up in the health and fitness industry, I was exposed to positive health habits at a very young age. My mother is a personal trainer and I have spent countless hours in the health club, learning from her experiences with obese patients. The topic of obesity in the United States is very important to me because it is a controllable problem and I feel as though I should be helping in some way. The issue of obesity effects not only my family, but also over a quarter of the people in the United States. I want to help end the obesity crisis in our country because of a sense of duty to help all Americans live healthier lifestyles.

Obesity has largely effected my personal family. My aunt and uncle suffered from obesity since their college days and it affected their lives substantially. The disease made their job as foster parents much more difficult; they lacked the energy necessary to raise multiple children at the same time. I have seen their ongoing fight against obesity, along with my mother helping people live with the disease. This issue has heavily influenced my living a healthy lifestyle. With the help of the community, it is possible for anyone to overcome obesity and start living a life full of healthy choices. 

CNN's Amanda MacMillan explains in her article, "Stop Drinking Soda, for (your Own) Good", the harmful effects of sugary beverages on the human body and she gives an easy guide to help individuals remove these products from their lives. This article explains the high-calorie and sugar content of soda and also provides ways in which someone can decrease their cravings for these beverages. MacMillan suggests the consumption of different, yet similar drinks such as tea, carbonated water, or watered-down soda in place of these unhealthy drinks. Amanda MacMillan encourages American's with soda addictions to try her plan for a two-week period, a fairly short time that could prove to be life changing. She recognizes the importance of the public's health and values a healthy lifestyle. With evidence from the American Heart Association, Ms. MacMillan's credibility is very strong. Along with the well-known publisher, CNN, this article can be seen as a reliable source of information. The growing problem of obesity in the United States, mainly caused by sugary beverages, can be stopped at the individual level and soda addiction can be overcome by anyone. 

Coca-Cola's former CEO, Steve Cahillane, addresses the Associated Press in Chicago after the recent ban on large soda containers enacted by New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg. Cahillane says that Coca-Cola is being wrongfully discriminated against by local governments because of the rising obesity rates in the United States. The CEO states that the company has been working overtime to help solve the problem of obesity, which is much more complex than just banning soda products. Cahillane is very knowledgeable of the inner-workings of Coca-Cola and all of the initiatives they have to fight obesity. However, he serves as a very bias source, being the CEO of Coca-Cola at the time, it is in his best interest to defend the company under any circumstance. Former Coca-Cola CEO, Steve Cahillane, disputes the role of soda in the increasing rates of obesity and the corporation feels attacked because of recent legislation banning large containers of their sugary beverages. 

The Harvard School of Public Health has published many informative articles concerning the effects of consuming sugary drinks. One article states that soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages are the main cause in the increasingly high childhood obesity rates. In 2015, sugary drinks account for the most calories in a child's diet, above all other foods. The School of Public Health recognizes the importance of a healthy diet yet they also see the importance of this business for the Coca-Cola corporation. The interest of public health is in jeopardy unless action is taken in order to reduce the consumption of these unhealthy beverages. The unflinching credibility of Harvard University grows as it continues to lead the country in research. The increased consumption of sugary beverages is having a very serious effect on the health of the country and action must be taken in order to prevent any further damage.

The obesity crisis that is sweeping the nation must be taken seriously in order for the government to correctly solve this problem. There are many side arguments that can be made about the numerous causes of obesity, soda being one of the leaders. Also, there exists arguments that say that the government should not infringe upon the public's right to choose their own diet and lifestyle. This discrepancy between rights and the overall well-being of the citizens will create friction for this argument. Along with the large revenues of big soda corporations, who will lobby Congress endlessly, the people of the United States will fight against government regulation, regardless of its potentially life saving effects. The people of the United States must take a stand against Coca-Cola and other large soda companies in order to control the obesity crisis that it hurting the lives of millions of Americans. 

Large soda corporations have created an epidemic of obesity throughout the United States and this problem will only get larger unless there is a government intervention. New York City has taken the first steps to fight obesity by banning large volumes of soda from being sold and many cities and states are likely to follow. The amount of United States citizens living with obesity has doubled and the number continues to grow. Although there are many cases of people fighting this disease on a personal level, a more complex approach is needed to eliminate this disease. Coca-Cola's former CEO, Steve Cahillane, and the entire corporation needs to take responsibility for the horrible effects of their products and work with legislators to stop its spread. The future of the nation depends on healthy citizens and it is in the best interest of all to fight this disease, obesity, at its source; big soda corporations. 

The devastating effects of soda consumption, such as obesity and diabetes, are damaging the United States. Coca-Cola and other large beverage corporations need to take responsibility for the side-effects of their products and financially support the cure efforts. Amanda MacMillan, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Harvard School of Public Health Dean, David Hunter, all recognize the problem that sugary beverages are causing. They are all taking steps to help slow the spread of obesity. The government of the United States needs to take action and fight this epidemic from a legislative angle as well as educating the populous of the country on the dangerous health effects of sugar-sweetened beverages. 

