Dr. David Ludwig, a Harvard nutrition expert, described the study on breakfast beverages as “wildly overstated.”

“There is no reason supplemental nutrients need to come in the form of a sugary beverage, especially for low-income populations at risk of obesity,” he said.

Malaysian researchers involved in the breakfast study say in one instance Nestlé requested a reference to their Healthy Kids Program, which the researchers agreed to. But Dr. Tee says he has final say over the research.

The research findings have been useful in Nestlé’s marketing efforts.

In one commercial, a child is falling asleep and having trouble concentrating in class, then drinks a Milo and springs to life with energy.

For his part, Dr. Tee said the obesity risk in Malaysia would be worse without companies’ help, and he couldn’t accomplish his goals without their support.

“There are some people who say that we should not accept money for projects, for research studies. I’m aware of that,” Dr. Tee said. “I have two choices: Either I don’t do anything or I work with companies.”