Wanted: pro-active parents

In a qualitative study by researchers at the University of Minnesota published in 2012 [1] many parents reported in focus group discussions being disatisfied with the food options available at concession stands and that the food enviroment promoted unhealthful nutrition habits.  

But many found it challenging to plan ahead to pack healthy snacks during travel team and tournament play because of busy schedules and a time crunch, which increased their perceived need for convenience food.  They also reported that nutrition messages from mass media influenced the types of food and beverages children consume in conjunction with sports, which were also affected by their own dietary habits and established eating norms at home.  Parents suggested that, because their children look up to their coaches and listen when they make suggestions about eating, it makes coaches important allies in sending positive messages about healthful food and beverages.

Parents can help create real changes in behavior by working to make healthy food and beverage choices for young athletes the easy choice.  They can lead on this issue by hitting the grocery store instead of the concession stand, by volunteering to help make more fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains and healthy beverages available at concession stands, and asking for them when they are not available.

"Parents can lead on this issue by making healthy choices available, volunteering to have more fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains and healthy beverages in concession stands, and asking for them where they are not available, says Toben F. Nelson, ScD., author of the University of Minnesota study.  "Most youth sports organizations are run by parents, so parents can take on these roles and create the change they want to see. I think there is more support out there for healthy choices than some realize."

Healthy food and concession stands can co-exist! 

In fact, a 2014 study by researchers at the University of Iowa, working with a booster club in Muscatine, Iowa, found that unhealthy food choices youth athletes are offered at concession stands can be gradually replaced with healthier items without a loss of revenue, profits, or customer satisfaction, suggests a first-of-its-kind pilot study. (Laroche 2014).  

Researchers at the University of Iowa worked with the booster club in Muscatine, Iowa to add eight new healthy foods (apples, carrots and dip, chicken sandwiches, granola bars, pickles, soft pretzels, string cheese and trail mix) to the concession stand menu durning the 2009 fall season at Muscatine High football games, volleyball matches and swim meets.

At the same time, the booster club replaced unhealthy ingredients in certain existing food offerings, substituting canola oil for coconut oil bars in the popcorn, and swapping the cheese in the nachos, eliminating trans fat from the products.

The group advertised the new offerings in a poster and marketing campaign with the slogan, "Great taste, more variety." 

1.  Thomas M, Nelson TF, Harwood E, Neumark-Sztainer D. Exploring Parent Perceptions of the Food Environment in Youth Sport. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2012;44(4):365-371.

Revised July 1, 2012