The University Of Colorado School Of Medicine has reportedly decided to return back a $1 million contribution from Coca-Cola as it works to start an anti-obesity research group.

Coca-Cola donated the money to help establish the Global Energy Balance Network, which says it is working on an "evidence-based approach to ending obesity."

It was after the New York Times noted the funding from Coca-Cola in August that the group has been continuously criticized for trying to deemphasize sugary drinks' role in fueling weight gain and instead playing up the importance of physical activity, reported GlobalNews.

The University of Colorado, in a statement released late Friday, said it was returning the money that Coca-Cola offered to set up the Global Energy Balance Network because "the funding source has distracted attention from its worthwhile goal."

"Obesity and related health issues are serious concerns for personal medical care and public health," the statement read.

"The School of Medicine and physicians and researchers on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus are making significant contributions to the understanding of and care for these health-related issues and the source of funding for the network should not distract from their efforts."

In a statement, Coca-Cola said it would donate the returned money to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, according to TheProvince.

"While the network continues to support a vigorous scientific discussion of the contributions of dietary and physical activity behaviors to the obesity epidemic, it has become evident that the original vision for G.E.B.N. has not been realized," the company said in a statement.

James Hill, who is a professor at the University of Colorado medical school and has served as a president of the Global Energy Balance Network, declined to comment on the matter.