New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to fight obesity by banning sales of super-sized soda by restaurants, sports venues, street carts and movie theaters. If approved by the city's Board of Health, it would be the first such ban in the nation.

“We have a lot of evidence to show the increase in the amount of sugary sweet beverages has contributed to the obesity epidemic. So I think any way we can get people looking at more normal size portions is a step in the right direction,” Donna Bacchi MD told WSYR Newschannel 9. She is chair of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Upstate. (Watch the video.)

“What happens when you drink sugar, it causes insulin to spike and if you're constantly putting sugar in your body, your insulin is a high level and it's always up and that can then drive more fat into your body -- and that's what really makes us fat,” Bacchi said.

Bloomberg's proposal would limit the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages of greater than 16 ounces. It would not apply to diet soda, water, coffee, milk, milkshakes, fruit and vegetable juice and alcoholic beverages. Grocery and convenience stores would be exempt.

“We‘re not banning you from getting the stuff,” Bloomberg told the Today Show. “It‘s just if you want 32 ounces, the restaurant has to serve it in two glasses. That‘s not exactly taking away your freedoms. It‘s not something the Founding Fathers fought for.

“And, all the studies show if the glass or the plate in front of you is smaller, you‘ll eat less,” the mayor said. His office posted a variety of statements of support on its website.

Watch the WSYR Newschannel 9 interview.