Drinking beverages sweetened with sugar can lead to obesity, cardiovascular disease, cavities, diabetes and other health problems. More than 20 years of public health campaigns significantly reduced the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages by U.S. children, but that progress has plateaued in recent years, according to Asher Rosinger, associate professor of biobehavioral health and anthropology at Penn State. He said that ensuring universally available, safe tap water across the nation may be a key step toward further reducing children's consumption of these drinks.