The Global Energy Balance Network (GEBN) was a US-based nonprofit organization claiming to fund research into causes of obesity, but was primarily known for promoting the idea that lack of physical exercise, not bad diet, was primarily responsible for the obesity epidemic. It has been characterised as an astroturfing[2] organisation. It received substantial funding from Coca-Cola.[3][4] It has been criticised by nutrition experts for downplaying the role of junk food in obesity.[5] Critics have also accused the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) of supporting GEBN.[6] The ACSM claims it had no affiliation with GEBN.[7]