News Releases & Statements

American Beverage Association Statement on University of Wisconsin Study on Dining Out and Cardiovascular Risk

CONTACT:    

Kathleen Dezio
202-463-6772

Tracey Halliday
202-463-6705

In response to “Frequent Dining Outside the Home Effects Cardiovascular Risks in Children,” a study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2005, Dr. Richard Adamson, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs of The American Beverage Association, said: “There are several limitations to this study, such as sampling bias, reporting bias and low participation rates. In addition:

• The children who ate out were less active than their peers and spent more time in sedentary activities such as playing computer games and watching television.
• Children who ate out more frequently were not more overweight than their peers.
• Even though some effects were reported to be statistically significant, they were very small and unlikely to be of clinical significance. For example, the average blood pressure of the kids who often ate out was 110/70, compared with 106/66 in those who ate out fewer than four times per week.
• The elevated cardiovascular risk factors seen in this study are sufficiently small that they could likely be corrected by a more balanced lifestyle.

The American Beverage Association advocates a balanced lifestyle, consumption of a variety of foods and beverages in moderation, and daily physical exercise for good health.”

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The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.