WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The U.S. should consider taxing soda and other sugary products, President Barack Obama said in an interview to be published next week in Men's Health and Women's Health magazines.

"I actually think it's an idea that we should be exploring," Obama said. " There's no doubt that our kids drink way too much soda. And every study that's been done about obesity shows that there is as high a correlation between increased soda consumption and obesity as just about anything else. Obviously it's not the only factor, but it is a major factor."

The magazines released excerpts of the interviews, which will run in the October issues set for release on Sept. 15.

So-called sin taxes on soda have been raised as potential way to help pay for the administration's proposed health care overhaul, but it isn't clear if lawmakers will include the idea in final legislation.

Obama conceded the taxes face stiff resistance for a variety of reasons.

"Legislators from certain states that produce sugar or corn syrup are sensitive to anything that might reduce demand for those products," he said. " And look, people's attitude is that they don't necessarily want Big Brother telling them what to eat or drink, and I understand that. It is true, though, that if you wanted to make a big impact on people's health in this country, reducing things like soda consumption would be helpful."

The magazines' interviews with Obama and his wife Michelle touched on a number of health-related issues, from the president's call for reform to his workout schedule and the need to fight obesity.

-By Henry J. Pulizzi, Dow Jones Newswires