A recent article on the web zine RedOrbit.compoints out a fallacy that parents and coaches need to be aware

fast food pizza

of.  Youth sports are awash in junk food.  In an upcoming article in the July/August issue of Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior*, details a University of Minnesota study 60 parents of youth basketball players. The results were not pretty.  It seems the foods available to players consisted of sweets, chips and sugary soda.

Fast food restaurants are a common destination for a post-game treat. While parents know the nutritional shortcomings of fast food, it’s a convenient solution; inexpensive and besides, their kids are active and in good shape.  Worse yet kids think a trip to the fast food restaurant is a reward for their efforts.

I asked my son who is a health sciences’ major, athlete and diabetic (who is constantly aware of what he eats) about his experience and he couldn’t recall any coach talking about nutrition or healthy eating.

“My experience with youth sports programs was exactly that, only unhealthy sugary options available, not one talk from a coach about nutrition, and the congratulatory trip to mcD’s or dairy queen, etc.”

Rather than promoting fast and junk foods, the youth sports environment should provide an excellent opportunity for early education about good nutritional habits. Perhaps clubs should create a volunteer position for a parent to champion good nutrition to coordinate best practices, helping parents make better choices and providing nutrition pep talks to coaches to give to their teams.

If you have any thoughts on sports nutrition please write me at chris@activeyouthnetwork.com

* Full article from jneb:  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_126803.html