Poll: 'Sugary drinks' part of U.S. culture

SAN ANTONIO, June 10 (UPI) -- Many respondents to a U.S. survey on sweet beverages said drinking "sugary drinks" was a part of all-American culture.

The survey by Interlex Communications, Inc., in partnership with the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity and other groups questioned 1,894 U.S. adults across seven demographic groups and held four focus groups in San Antonio, Texas.

The four focus groups identified the respondents' positive perception of sugary drinks -- many participants used the terms "energy, relaxed, comfortable and friends" to describe them.

However, survey indicated only 11 percent of respondents believed sugary drink companies cared about their health, Consumers know sugary drinks are not part of a healthy diet but there is confusion about what constitutes a sugary drink.

The survey also found 57 percent of those polled agreed sugary drink companies contribute to high rates of U.S. obesity, 53 percent said sugary drink companies influenced elected officials via campaign contributions and 51 percent said sugary drink companies unfairly target youth and minorities.

More than 50 percent said they would like to reduce the amount of sugary drinks consumed, but 46.5 percent of Caucasians and 48.8 percent of Republicans said that they would not like to reduce their intake of sugared drinks, the survey said.

No further survey details were provided.