Boosting U.S. Fitness: White House & Sports Leagues Unite

Major Sports Leagues and Players’ Associations Commit to Promoting Health and Fitness

A host of renowned sports leagues and players’ associations – including the NFL and PGA Tour – have committed to creating additional opportunities for public physical activity, nutritional education, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. This initiative was led by the White House, demonstrating the government’s commitment to public health.

White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities

This announcement on Thursday confirmed that these prestigious leagues and associations are joining the crucial White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. This challenge was initiated last year, following the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.

Ambitious Goals Set by President Joe Biden

In this conference, President Joe Biden unveiled a national strategy with the ambitious objective of ending hunger and reducing diet-related diseases by 2030. This challenge encourages all stakeholders to make “bold commitments” towards achieving this goal, as per the White House.

The Role of Sports Leagues in Promoting Health

Doug Emhoff, who is married to Vice President Kamala Harris, expressed that it is “simply unacceptable” that obesity and Type 2 diabetes are among the leading causes of death in the United States. He applauded the sports leagues for “stepping up” to assist in achieving Biden’s goal by partnering with the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. This advisory body, co-chaired by chef Jose Andres and WNBA player Elena Delle Donne, promotes healthy eating and physical activity.

How Sports Leagues are Contributing

The sports leagues have announced several commitments in their bid to support this cause:

The NFL pledged to expand PLAY60, their national health and wellness program that encourages young people to engage in a minimum of 60 minutes physical activity daily. The NFL will also emphasize the significance of nutrition in its program messaging.

The NBA and WNBA are also eager to contribute, planning to continue developing programs and events that promote a healthy diet and physical activity among young people. This includes the soon-to-be-held All-Star Game in Indianapolis. Emhoff mentioned that he would be in attendance at the game.

Other sports leagues such as the NHL, MLB, MLS, NWSL have also made similar commitments, confirming their stance on promoting health and wellbeing.