How much soda is too much?

For the last several years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been doing everything in his power to curb the spread of obesity in New York City. On Thursday, he proposed a ban on any sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces. On one side, his decision has been lauded as a huge step in fighting the epidemic of obesity in the US. On the other, it has been chastized as a nanny law that robs New Yorkers of individual freedom and liberty. 

Bloomberg's ban is based on research suggesting that those who consume soda regularly are more likely to be overweight and develop diabetes. He has already mandated calorie counts on foods and menus throughout NYC (and one of those calorie labels would tell you that a standard big-gulp of Coca-Cola - 32 ounces - contains nearly 400 calories). But simply labeling doesn't seem to be doing enough. 36% of Americans are still obese, and far too many of them suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Hopefully, the ban will limit calorie uptake enough to make a difference. 

New York Plans to Ban Sale of Big Sizes of Sugary Drinks from NYT Dining