If fast food is so bad for the body, how can San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco eat McDonald’s wings and still play well on Sunday? Aren’t the eating habits of professional athletes controlled and carefully watched? After all, good health and physical wellbeing are their proverbial “moneymakers.” What about the influence celebrity spokespersons have over dietary habits of fans?
A recent study published in Pediatrics singled out Lebron James, Peyton Manning and Serena Williams for their promotion of unhealthy foods. The research looked at products these athletes endorse, nutritional facts and the number of viewers who saw their ads. The athletes were categorized as “the highest contributors to the marketing of unhealthy foods” in the global athletic community.
Business is business.
Numerous reports and studies suggest that fast food has negative effects on health. Morgan Spurlock’s 2004 documentary “Supersize Me” shows Spurlock’s health decrease marginally as he exclusively consumes fast food. So why do professional athletes – who are subject to more rigorous nutritional standards than the average Joe – promote this stuff?
The fact is: it’s a business decision. Global food brands with big budgets can afford to entice celebrity spokespersons. In addition to monetary incentive, partnerships with companies like Nabisco and McDonald’s provide an opportunity to enter foreign markets where the athlete’s image has room to grow. It also provides an outlet for his or her sport to establish itself in other countries.
Is there an inherent responsibility for celebrity spokespeople to advertise with the greater good in mind?
Sponsorship is not the only way to go; some celebrities take the advocacy route towards a healthy lifestyle. While advocating for causes that are near and dear to them, many influence the public towards a healthy lifestyle.
Some public figures are using their influence for good, leading campaigns that promote healthy living. For example, Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” promotes a healthier generation of kids with the help of Beyonce, Nelly Furtado, DeMarcus Ware and Taylor Swift. Sir Paul McCartney has become an advocate for vegetarianism and actress Gwyneth Paltrow promotes healthy recipes through her online publication Goop. British experts say the promotion of Paltrow and others made kale sales increase by 40 percent, indicating that celebrity spokespeople have the power to positively affect the health of the general public.
With health in mind, do you think celebrity spokespeople should be more selective about which products they promote?