ATLANTA - Coca-Cola has launched an ad campaign aimed squarely at the obesity debate, Advertising Age reports. The soft-drink company wanted to share with consumers its own message on the subject: "Calories in, calories out."

"It's the first time we're really leaning into the conversation," said Coke spokeswoman Diana Garza Ciarlante. "We're doing it in a way that's anchored in what people expect of Coca-Cola. They expect us to be part of the dialogue, to lead where we can and to be responsive."

The TV spot called "Coming Together" debuted yesterday on national cable channels, and highlights how Coke has developed, distributed and marketed low- and no-calorie beverages. "Beating obesity will take action by all of us, based on one simple common-sense fact ?" all calories count, no matter where they come from, including Coca-Cola and everything else with calories," a voiceover in the ad tells viewers. "If you eat and drink more calories than you burn off, you'll gain weight."

The commercial also shows Coca-Cola??s commitment to being involved in the obesity debate. "The issue of obesity in the U.S. often tends to be discussed in narrow terms ?" a do or don't, this or that. It's too polarizing," said Garza Ciarlante. "We believe the way you can drive and affect change is to bring people together around the table and work together. We're hopeful this new dialogue we're beginning to have will encourage more of that."