As doctors and public health leaders, we are concerned about the future of Baltimore’s children.

In our city, one in three school-aged children are overweight or obese. One major cause is sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). One in four of our city’s children drink at least one soda every day. Scientific studies show that SSBs promote weight gain and are the primary sources of added sugar and calories in children’s diets. In fact, drinking one SSB per day increases a child’s odds of becoming obese by 60%.

For the first time in history, we are treating children with diseases previously seen only in adults, such as adult-onset diabetes and early heart disease. Studies directly link this startling trend to the consumption of sugary drinks.

Research shows that many parents are not aware of these dangers, and would make different choices about their children’s drinks if they did. There are warning labels on cigarettes and alcohol for this reason; consumers must have the facts at point-of-sale to make informed choices for their families.

Studies have shown that beverage companies disproportionately market their sugary drinks to low-income communities that are already hardest hit by health disparities and have the highest rates of diabetes and heart disease. The consumption of SSBs is increasing rampant inequities, speeding our most vulnerable children toward poor health and shortened life spans.

This is why we stand in support of legislative efforts to require warning labels on all SSB advertisements, on restaurant menus, and in any store that sells SSBs. These warning labels should state what doctors and scientists already know: that sugary drinks can lead to tooth decay, obesity, diabetes, and other preventable illnesses.

We stand together as the medical and public health communities of Baltimore to fight the epidemic of childhood obesity and raise awareness of the dangers of SSBs. By advocating for the health and well-being of our patients, we are driven by the rules of science and grounded in the principles of social justice.

Children and their parents deserve to know the facts about threats to their health. We cannot wait until another generation grows up with poor health and preventable disease; now is the time for bold action.