Sports stars criticized for their endorsements of ‘junk food’

A 2013 study points out something that some of us have long realized:

Pro athletes such as Peyton Manning and Serena Williams are often paid big fees to endorse a whole range of products. Now, a new study has found that the majority of the foods and drinks such athletes endorse is calorie-laden and unhealthy.

Researchers at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University compiled a list of endorsement deals for the Top 100 athletes in the U.S., based on BusinessWeek’s 2010 Power 100 report. Of the 512 brand endorsements that same year, 122 were for food and beverage brands.

The researchers found that of the 62 food products high-ranking athletes endorsed, 49 were high in calories and low in nutritional value. Of the 46 sports drinks, sodas and beverages the athletes endorsed, for example, the calories in 43 of them came entirely from sugar.

The study, which will appear in the November issue of Pediatrics, also found that teens aged 12 to 17 were the demographic that viewed the greatest number of TV ads for athlete-endorsed food.

Most of the athletes who endorsed food and beverages were from the NBA, followed by the NFL, the study found. http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/health-headlines/study-criticizes-sports-stars-who-endorse-junk-food-1.1486694#ixzz2h8X16sr2

This is not a surprise. Most people, star athletes or not, will sell out. This is not good as it is done to increase consumption of junk food, which leads to increased obesity. Recently, I was seeing certain promotions for a well known soda beverage which, to me at least, suggested that many towns, celebrities, organizations, and others are selling out to that particular company. I also saw some promotions for a particular ‘fast food’ company which, combined with other previous promotions, made me feel the same way–many sell out.

Some commercials for ‘over-the-counter’ medicines are also in this sell-out category, though the endorsers likely have less of the general facts than those endorsing junk foods do.

Models and singers, especially female ones, often feel that they must immodestly expose themselves for money. So, selling out is not limited to the endorsement of junk food or other potentially harmful goods.

The Bible teaches:

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10)

14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. (Ecclesiastes 1:14

And whether it is for love of money and/or vanity, many do sell out.

Of course, greed is not limited to the entertainment world, junk food promoters, nor pharmaceutical companies.

But all should be careful and not emphasize physical or spiritual junk food for their own lives.

Some prophetic articles of possibly related interest may include:

Obesity, processed foods, and the Bible Does the Bible warn about the consequences of being obese? Is overeating dangerous? Is gluttony condemned?
Eating Right, Eating Too Much, and Prophecy This is a video. Are there disadvantages to being overweight? Is junk food really bad for you? Does the Bible discuss overeating and/or obesity? Is overeating having an effect on the US military? What are the ramifications of personal and national health for overeating? What should you eat?
GMOs and Bible Prophecy What are GMOs? Since they were not in the food supply until 1994, how could they possibly relate to Bible prophecy? Do GMOs put the USA and others at risk? Here is a related YouTube video GMO Risks and the Bible.
Ten Simple Rules that Lead to Health Herbert Armstrong gives his opinions on this.
Pornography: A scourge on society Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it? Here is a link to a YouTube video Pornography: Harmless Fun or a Scourge on Society?
Does God Heal Today? What does the Bible teach? Herbert Armstrong tries to explain this.
UK Study Supports Daniel Diet Daniel and his companions looked better eating more vegetables and avoiding strange meats. Has modern science confirmed this?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?