They proposed three possible causes:1. . Drinking liquids isn't as filling as eating solid foods because the body doesn't recognize the calories from liquids as well. So instead of feeling full and stopping, people continue eating or drinking.2. Sugary drinks can make you hungry, causing you to eat more.3. A can of sugary drink may contain more calories than a cookie, but it doesn't appear to, so people will drink it and not realize how many they've ingested. (“Sugary drinks.”) If someone consumed too much sugar, it could “lead to tooth decay.” It could also make a person "prone to being overweight, as sugary foods tend to be relatively high in calories, especially if they are also fatty." Typically, a food that contains milk or fruit would be a healthier choice than a food that contains the same amount of sugar but without milk or fruit ingredients. (“Healthy Eating Overview.”) Another issue is that many foods contain added sugars, but it's not always easy to tell. Sugar can hide in the form of sucrose, syrup, molasses, dextrose, fruit juice concentrates, and so on. ("NIH News in Healthcare." October 2019)..