LEAWOOD, Kan. – A national medical group, based in here in the metro, is stirring up controversy after entering a partnership with a soda-maker.
The Leawood-based American Academy of Family Physicians recently announced a consumer alliance with Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola gave a six figure grant to AAFP as part of the partnership.
Doctor Douglas Henley, who is CEO of AAFP, says the money will be used to provide people with health information when it comes to beverages.
That information will be on their website
www.familydoctor.org.
"There's a lot of need out there for patients to have information about the various sweeteners that are in beverages, both artificial and natural sweeteners," says Henley.
He adds that the grant will also allow them to give consumers information about any relationship between drinks and obesity.
"We view the partnership and the grant funding that we get from that as an opportunity on our website where we control the content to produce important information that will guide the choices that consumers make," says Henley.
After the partnership was announced about 20 doctors in Contra Costa County, California resigned from the AAFP. They called the partnership appalling. They add that it is in direct conflict with the fight against obesity.
"It strikes me as a bit of a risky idea. It would be very hard to not bend a little to someone who is giving you a certain amount of money. To bend your viewpoint, your advice a little in their favor," said pediatrician Jeffrey Waters, who is not a member of AAFP.
He says the link between obesity and soda is undeniable.
"The studies are very clear that if you drink one can of soda a day you are fatter at the end of the year," says Waters.
Henley says Doctors should not be worried about this new partnership.
"We're not endorsing any products whatsoever," he says.
A call for a comment from the Coca-Cola company were not returned.
