A new Yale University "Athlete Endorsements in Food Marketing" study released this this week lambasts sports stars LeBron James, Peyton Manning and other athletes over what it deems their negative effect on America's kids by fast foods, according to Sports Illustrated.
The study looked at 62 food products advertised by athletes, concluding that 79 percent were considered "energy-dense and nutrient-poor," and nearly 94 percent of the 46 athlete-sponsored drinks"had 100 percent of calories from added sugar."
Of 512 brands endorsed by the 100 top athletes and highlighted by researchers, nearly a quarter of them (122) were for food and beverages.
With endorsements that include McDonald's and Coca Cola, James topped the list, second to Manning, who recently inked deals with Papa John's Pizza and Gatorade that are estimated to have netted him in excess of $10 million in profits. The Denver Broncos star quarterback also recently announced he had purchased at least 21 of the restaurants in Colorado.
Researchers noted "a striking irony of having someone so physically fit as these athletes promoting such unhealthy foods. "It would be ideal if athletes stopped promoting unhealthful food," said Marie Bragg, lead researcher from Yale's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. "But that's a tall order given how much money is involved."
Serena Williams and Chris Paul round out the third and fourth spots on the list.
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