Athletes Advertising Junk Food? Get the Nutritional Facts

It comes as no surprise that when we see our favorite celebrities using certain products, consumers are more likely to invest in various brands based on the decisions of their idols.

However, when some are promoting unhealthy products-particularly junk food-this can give kids the wrong impression about what's nutritionally beneficial.

A recent study shows that Peyton Manning, LeBron James and Serena Williams are the highest paid contributors among the most influential athletes in marketing unhealthy food.

Researchers found that athletes who are very fit and healthy themselves when they advertise junk food or an unhealthy product often send out mixed messages about the product. They also tend to attribute a sense of "healthiness" via the unhealthy product, which is most commonly targeted at children. 

According to the American Psychological Association, the childhood obesity epidemic has become a very serious public health problem which increases morbidity, mortality and has substantial long-term economic and social costs. 

"We see these people - they've obviously (reached the top) of sports achievement, they're obviously living a healthy lifestyle - and they're endorsing these foods. And that kind of lends an aura of healthfulness to these foods and beverages that they don't deserve," said Emma Boyland, from the University of Liverpool in the UK.

According to Marie Bragg from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., who led the study, she and team members compiled a list of advertisement deals for over 100 top athletes. Together the athletes endorsed over 512 brands of which almost half were food and beverage products.

Sixty-two food products were advertised, including burgers, pizzas, cereals and cookies. Forty-nine were low in nutritional value but high in calories. Similarly, 46 beverage brands were then endorsed by the athletes and 43 of them contained high levels of added sugar.

"What stood out to us was the striking irony of the practice of having the world's most physically fit athletes endorsing these products," Bragg said.

This shows particularly disturbing information as the advertisements were, again, geared towards children rather than adults.

Health officials recommend that parents are extra vigilant when choosing products that may be advertised for children. Even if athletes are showing the products, they may not be healthy. 

More information regarding the issue can be found via the November issue of Pediatrics.