- Children may consume more calories after matches than they burn
- This is because the food served up during and after matches is unhealthy
- Some post-match meals contain more calories than were expended
04:11 EST, 25 April 2014
|
04:11 EST, 25 April 2014
Most parents are keen for their children to take part in school sports so they get some exercise and fresh air and have the opportunity to meet new friends.
But now, research suggests that joining a sports team could actually make children fatter.
Researchers say children may be eating more calories after matches and training than they burn while exercising because of the unhealthy food that is served up at post-match meals.
Playing sport can make children fat as they consume more calories after matches than they burn during them
U.S. scientists found that for children who play youth baseball, eating unhealthy food during practices and games may be contributing to weight problems.
The study, published in the current online edition of Childhood Obesity, revealed that high-calorie snacks and sugar-sweetened drinks are the sustenance of choice for young athletes.
‘Though youth sports are an excellent way to promote physical activity, social interaction and positive health behaviours, the food environments are often characterised by less healthy food options with high calorie contents and lower nutrient density,’ said Joseph Skelton, associate professor of paediatrics at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina, and senior author of the study.
The research team conducted a study of foods consumed by players and family members during 12 games at a youth baseball field in northwest North Carolina.
The players were boys aged eight to 11 and they made up six teams.
The researchers found that most snacks were high-calorie food items, including French fries, sweets and cookies and most drinks were sugar-sweetened.
The unhealthy food that is served up after sports matches could be contributing to childhood obesity, researchers say
Nearly 90 per cent of food and beverage items purchased were from the canteen.
‘Team sports like baseball are still very important for children’s activity and development,’ said co-author Megan Irby.
‘But as seen in this study, games and practices can be upwards of two to three nights a week, and many children participate on multiple sports teams each year.
‘Parents should plan ahead for these busy times and even advocate in their local sports leagues for policies that address snacks and drinks.’
This research was the first step in exploring the question of whether children and families attending youth sporting events may be increasing their risk of being overweight or obese as a result of the consumptions of unhealthy food associated with sports participation.
Contrary to the intent of youth sports, these findings indicate that children may be leaving the sports field having consumed more calories than they expended.
‘Despite the benefits of participating in sports, the increased exposure to unhealthy foods and disruption of meal times may increase children’s risk for poor nutritional habits that can contribute to weight management issues,’ Dr Skelton said.
or comment on this article
-
Football spectators spooked by stadium ghost
-
Joan Rivers mocks Cleveland kidnapping victims
-
Kate delights three-year-old girl who presents her with…
-
Incredible moment mum shoves pram onto train tracks
-
Haunting tour of abandoned New Orleans Six Flags theme park
-
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend ANZAC day dawn…
-
Oprah interviews millionaire bachelor Gurbaksh Chahal
-
Cliven Bundy makes shockingly racist comments
-
Oprah’s dad discusses the superstar’s childhood
-
Yankees pitcher ejected for using pine tar
-
Willie Geist apologizes for Joan Rivers’ comments
-
Seflie boy kicked in head by train conductor
-
Japanese MP who was angry that Michelle didn’t join…
-
‘To me it was just bizarre. It was always Oprah, Stedman and…
-
‘You don’t run the Google?’ Hilarious texts from…
-
Lesbian couple devastated after adopted baby they were…
-
Shocking mugshots of once clean-cut young parents who went…
-
Millionaire Tech CEO filmed hitting and kicking his…
-
A sprig of rosemary and a riderless horse: Kate and William…
-
Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson divorces high…
-
Accused murderer wants ‘murder’ neck tattoo removed before…
-
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Mark was my everything, he gave me everything I…
-
Benghazi attack could have been prevented if US hadn’t…
-
Abandoned America: Photographer obsessed with horror-themed…
Comments (0)
what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.
Find out now