Can soft drinks contribute to a weight problem?  Absolutely!

Soft drinks are the largest source of sugar in the American diet.  In fact, daily soft drink consumption adds roughly nine teaspoons of sugar to the diet of adolescent girls and about 14 teaspoons for adolescent boys.

According to the USDA, sugar consumption has been steadily increasing since 1982, with highly refined foods as the largest contributor. 

The average 12-ounce can of soda has 10 teaspoons of sugar, but even white bread contains roughly 3 teaspoons per slice.