Yale University has conducted a study which concludes that LeBron James, Serena Williams and Peyton Manning are among the many sports stars who are promoting unhealthy foods. The study also says that 79% of the 62 food products endorsed by athletes are “energy-dense and nutrient poor,” and 93.4% of 46 endorsed beverages “had 100 percent of calories from added sugar.”
Marie Bragg, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Yale University told NBC News: “When taking into account the nutrient quality of the products endorsed and the amount of advertising for each product, Peyton Manning, LeBron James, and Serena Williams are the highest contributors to the marketing of unhealthy foods.” NBC also reported that authors say the promotion of unhealthy foods “by some of the world’s most physically fit and well-known athletes is an ironic combination that sends mixed messages about diet and health.”
However, sports marketing expert John Rowady says the observations just relate to people fishing for evidence for “social-change platforms.” “I guarantee that in a few years (health watchdogs) will say that (smart phones), with all the texting going on, constitutes an unhealthy lifestyle,” Rowaday said. “Then you can ask the same question about why LeBron James endorses the Samsung Galaxy?”
