“It was a very interesting study, and I think most Americans would be floored to learn it takes 50 minutes to burn off one 20-ounce bottle of soda, basically a nutritionally worthless beverage,” said Julie Greenstein, deputy director of health promotion policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a health and nutrition advocacy group.

“I think there’d have to be some further studies on that to see if there would be an impact,” Greenstein said. “If it does have an impact, the federal government should consider this on a broader scale.

“Sometimes other messages are more beneficial to reducing consumption. I think it makes sense to focus on sugary drinks, since they are the largest single source of calories.”

Bleich said that was one reason the study focused on beverages. With a mandate for calorie counts in larger restaurant chains coming next year, she said it is important to find a way to convey that information in a way the consumer understands.