Big Soda

A Coke-funded group at the University of Colorado that was supposed to study the impact of obesity — the Global Energy Balance Network — shut down unexpectedly late Monday, months after the group came under fire for blaming the nation’s growing waistline on lack of exercise — not sugary drinks.

Coke cut financial ties with the group and GEBN said on its website it ceased operations because of “resource limitations.”

Coca-Cola, which employs about 8,900 metro Atlantans in its hometown, declined to comment Tuesday.

“Like ‘big tobacco,’ ‘big soda’s’ true intentions have been unveiled by this effort to manipulate the science,” said Jim O’Hara, director of health promotion policy for the health advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest. “The real issue was not just about transparency, but scientific integrity.”