We live in a carbonation nation. Half of the U.S. population over the age of two consumes sugary drinks daily.

New York City's health board passed a regulation Thursday that puts a 16 ounce size limit on non-diet sodas, sweetened teas and other beverages packed with calories. But will the ban really make a difference in the fight against obesity?

"It is estimated that by the year 2020 two out of three Americans will be overweight and obese," explained Clinical Dietician at Lehigh Valley Health Network Susan O'Donnell.

She says we need to take action today, and the New York City ban on super sized sugary drinks is a great way to start.

"I do believe that sugary drinks, any kind of excess sugary foods do contribute to our obesity epidemic," said O'Donnell. "And there's research to support that."

When consumers guzzle drinks from bucket-sized containers the empty calories add up fast, and they can translate into extra pounds.

There's about 240 calories in a 20 ounce sized sugary drink, and about 4.5 tablespoons of sugar. For someone who drinks a soda a day, stopping at 16 ounces means the difference of 14,600 calories a day. That's enough to add about four pounds of fat to your body.

Health officials say the 16 ounce size limit starts a conversation that could change attitudes about overeating.

"The first thing we should do is to look at our food intake, our beverage intake, and the first thing you can probably cut out are sugary beverages," added O'Donnell.

But not everyone's convinced drinking less soda, sweetened waters, energy and sports drinks and fruit juices will make a difference to our obesity problem.

"I don't think it will help," said Doug McNeill. "I think people will just continue to get another drink or continue with their bad habits if they want to do that."

"Honestly, probably not because there's so many fast food restaurants and stuff," said Kimberly Metz. "There's too many and if people aren't going to get out and exercise it's not going to make a difference."