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Obesity is one of the biggest health issues in the United States. The majority of the Americans are living an unhealthy lifestyle as it was recently reported that 20 percent of the food allowance given to food stamp recipients are being wasted on junk food.

Thousands of Americans are diagnosed with obesity, which puts their health at risk. According to USDA, their unhealthy lifestyle is to be blamed for their excessive weight gain. It was mentioned that food stamp beneficiaries spend 20 percent of their food allowance on junk food. It was then added that $608 million is being spent on soda alone.

USDA released a report based on the study that was done by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Part of the report highlighted that the food stamp recipients spent part of their allowance on soda, salty snacks, candy and sugary sweets. It was mentioned that one of the most popular perchance is soda pops, which comprised 5 percent of their total purchase.

"Sweetened beverages are a common purchase in all households across America," Kevin Concannon, the U.S.D.A. under secretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services, stated during an interview. "This report raises a question for all households: Are we consuming too many sweetened beverages, period?"

With the aim to minimize obesity, it was cited that health organizations are working together to restrict food stamp recipients from purchasing junk food and soda. Though it may seem feasible, soda manufacturers, however, strongly oppose their decision. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may have their own guidelines, but it does not include a nutritional label.

David Ludwig, the director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children's Hospital stated that their proposal to restrict unhealthy food choices such as sugary treats and soda is for the good of the consumers as reported in New York Times. Ludwig then added that they have more evidence for the negative impact of sugary beverages than other food choices.