Parents who encourage their children to participate in youth sports may recognize that regular exercise, in conjunction with a healthy diet, supports optimal brain development. However, researchers around the country are beginning to notice that athletic competitions for children can sometimes give them an excuse to eat junk food, as reported by St. Louis Today.

"Youth sport activities get promoted as something that can help curb the obesity epidemic among young people, but the results of our research show that the activity alone might not be enough to combat the issue," Toben Nelson, a scientist from the University of Minnesota, told the news source.

Parents may be in a bind because many athletic facilities have a policy against outside food, leaving the children to eat unhealthy concessions, such as hot dogs and pizza. Furthermore, young athletes may actually have a lot of rest time during competition and practice, in which they are inactive.

In order to help parents and children, Nelson's research group recommends that mothers and fathers avoid packaged foods and prepare snacks ahead of time if a game takes place during dinner. Meanwhile, league officials should offer healthier options at concession stands.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 percent of American children and adolescents are obese. The rate of this weight problem tripled between 1980 and 2008.

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