Most Americans, unless they've been vacationing on the moon, are aware of the record eight gold medals won by Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. It was announced this week that he has signed on to endorse one of the largest selling sugar-laden cereals on the market, Kellogs' Frosted Flakes. In light of the recent obesity and diabetes epidemics that are trashing the health of American children and adults, I can't think of a worse ethical move on the part of an athlete and role model. It was also noted that a business arrangement with McDonald's is in the works for Mr. Phelps whereby he will act as an ambassador for the fast-food giant while in Beijing, helping to introduce Chinese children to the wonderful world of burgers and fries.
Perhaps Phelps does not see his endorsements as a sell-out because he himself is known for being a junk food junkie. However, you would think that as strict as the Olympic Committee can be in certain areas, they might set some rules restricting what products Olympians can be paid millions to push. What's next? Athletes touting tobacco products or alcoholic beverages? Or maybe Michael's agent will cut a deal with a pharmaceutical company for a new drug that allows one to eat anything they want and still perform like a world-class athlete.
But alas, it's not all bad news. The real hero in this year's Olympics is 41 year-old Dana Torres, also a swimmer, who won a very impressive two silver medals. She is known for her healthy habits, including the consumption of super foods and other natural forms of energy and nutrition. I would like to see Phelps accomplish that at her age, especially if he continues to eat the junk that he is endorsing.
Breakfast of a champion? Frosted Flakes! Phelps signs with cereal
BY RICH SCHAPIRO DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Updated Wednesday, August 20th 2008, 1:23 PM
After winning a record eight Olympic gold medals in Beijing, American swimming superstar Michael Phelps signs on with sugar-loaded cereal.
You better eat your . . . Frosted Flakes?
Olympic legend Michael Phelps will appear on boxes of the Kellogg's brand sugar cereal, drawing sharp criticism from health experts worried about the message he'll be sending to children across America.
"I would not consider Frosted Flakes the food of an Olympian," said nutritionist Rebecca Solomon of Mount Sinai Medical Center.
"I would rather see him promoting Fiber One. I would rather see him promoting oatmeal. I would even rather see him promoting Cheerios."
The announcement yesterday that Phelps, 23, winner of a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, would grace Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes boxes instead of the traditional athlete's choice of Wheaties left many perplexed.
Frosted Flakes has three times the amount of sugar as Wheaties and 1/3rd the fiber.This doesn't matter much to a virtuoso swimmer who consumes 12,000 calories a day.
Still, in a country where childhood obesity is an alarming issue, Phelps' iconic image sharing space with Tony the Tiger sends the wrong message, experts say.
"For a guy like Michael Phelps who isn't worried about obesity because he's burning thousands of calories as an athlete...eating Corn Flakes and Frosted Flakes every so often is not an issue," Solomon said.
The Phelps-emblazoned cereal boxes hit supermarket shelves in mid-September.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/2008olympics/2008/08/19/2008-08-19_breakfast_of_a_champion_frosted_flakes_p.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment