Coke, the soft drink considered by many as one of the leading causes of the obesity epidemic plaguing the United States and the world, is re-branding itself as a "healthy meal," according to media reports.

Reports said Coke has a paid army of health and diet specialists that churn out literature to support this incredible claim. It said Coca-Cola seems to be working closely with independent fitness and nutrition experts to market this "revolutionary" idea to American consumers.

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Coca-Cola is said to be funding studies that seek to improve the nutritional image of Coke or branding the product as "healthy eating". The company is also focusing on marketing mini-cans to negate the widespread fear of obesity in the U.S.

The company is being blamed for fueling obesity across the United States and people have indeed starting drinking less soda as a result.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health says over two-thirds (68.8 percent) of American adults are considered to be overweight or obese.

More than one-third (35.7 percent) of adults are considered to be obese. More than 1 in 20 (6.3 percent) have extreme obesity. Almost 3 in 4 men (74 percent) are considered to be overweight or obese.

About one-third of children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are considered to be overweight or obese.

More than 1 in 6 children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are considered to be obese.

A 12 ounce can of Coke (355 ml) contains 39 grams of sugar. A 20 ounce (590 ml) bottle contains 65 grams of sugar while a 1 Liter (34 oz) bottle contains 108 grams of sugar.

During celebrations of American Heart Month in February, several "nutrition experts" posted misleading online nutrition recommendations that a mini-can of Coke was a valuable snack option.

A Coke spokesman for the company chose to neither deny nor confirm Coca-Cola paid experts to promote Coke as a healthy meal.

"Every big brand works with bloggers or has paid talent," said Ben Sheidler. "We have a network of dietitians we work with."

The World Health Organization said drinking just one can of Coke a day could be bad for you and urged Americans to lower the daily amount of sugar they consume. It suggested sugar should make up just five percent of the total calories needed for a day, or half of what it had previously suggested.

WHO's expert group found high sugar consumption is strongly linked to obesity and tooth decay. It noted that heavy people have a higher risk of chronic diseases that are responsible for more than 60 percent of global deaths.