WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT. THE FACTS!
America's Youth Are Facing a Health Crisis. The Time to Act Is Now.
Today's children are growing up in an environment of less physical activity, more screen time, fewer opportunities for active play, and growing mental-health challenges. Too many children are missing the foundation they need to build healthy bodies, confident minds, and active lives.
This is more than a children's health issue ...
It is a national priority affecting our schools, our communities,
our military readiness, our economy, and our country's future.
38th of 38
U.S. ranking for children's physical health - the BOTTOM!
UNICEF's 2020 Report Card 16 ranked the United States last among 38 wealthy countries on its physical-health dimension. Identify the report year when displaying this statistic. unicef.org.hk
77%
Of young adults are not qualified for military service without a waiver.
The Department of Defense reported this for Americans ages 17–24. This includes multiple eligibility factors, not just fitness. Defense.gov
1 in 4
High school students get 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
CDC's 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported that approximately one in four high school students met this daily activity benchmark. CDC
$117B
Annual U.S. health-care expenditures associated with inadequate physical activity.
A published CDC-affiliated study estimated these costs using adult health-care expenditure data. Present this as an overall inactivity-related cost, not a child-specific cost. CDC
1 in 5
U.S. children have obesity.
The CDC's military-readiness overview uses this approximate national figure. For publication, link to the CDC source and its definition. CDC
70%
Of children leave organized sports by age 13
Cost, access, confidence, time, and limited opportunities can all contribute. When children stop playing, they can lose an important source of physical activity, social connection, and personal development.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION IS BEING SIDELINED
Physical education is essential to children's health, yet schools often allow academic priorities to take its place.
-
76% of K–12 schools allowed exemptions from PE requirements for at least one grading period.
-
Average PE budget is only $460 per elementary school per year
-
Many schools have reduced access to PE classes
Mental health: The numbers
40%
Of high school students experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness.
CDC, 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
8–16%
LOWER prevalence of persistent sadness or hopelessness was associated with playing on a sports team or meeting frequent physical-activity recommendations.CDC analysis of 2023 survey data found protective associations with physical activity and sports participation.
Academic performance:
Movement helps students learn
66%
Of high school students earning mostly A's played on at least one sports team, compared with 42% of students earning mostly D's or F's.
CDC analysis of the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. This demonstrates an association, not proof that sports participation caused higher grades.
Physical activity can improve concentration, attention and classroom behavior.
The CDC identifies these as benefits of classroom physical activity, including short movement breaks and active learning.
Physical Education builds lifetime sports
20%
A 2024 study found that children and adolescents who received school PE were 20.2% more likely to exercise outside of school than those who did not. When schools teach children how to move, play, and participate in sports, they help build the foundation for a lifetime of physical activity.
Adults who participated in physical education at school were approximately 3 times more likely to participate in team sports and 4 times more likely to participate in racquet sports later in life.
Playing Field to the Boardroom
94%
Of the senior women executives surveyed had participated in sports, and 52% had competed at the university level.
Sports can help girls develop teamwork, confidence, resilience, discipline, and leadership skills that serve them well throughout their lives.