President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition
The President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (prior to June 2010, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports), is an American government organization that aims to "promote, encourage and motivate Americans of all ages to become physically active and participate in sport". It is part of the Office of Public Health and Science, an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
History
- The President's Council on Youth Fitness was founded on 16 July 1956 to encourage American children to be healthy and active children, after a study indicating that American youths are less physically fit than European children, by then President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
- In 1961, Kennedy discussed physical fitness with Wilma Rudolph.
- In 1963, President John F. Kennedy then changed the council's name to President's Council on Physical Fitness to reflect its role to serve all Americans.
- In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson created the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, name of which was later changed to President's Challenge Youth Physical Fitness Awards Program. In 1968, the council's name was changed to President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports to emphasize the importance of sports in life.
- In 1972, the Presidential Sports Award Program was created.
- In 1983, the United States Congress declared May "National Physical Fitness and Sports Month".
- In 1996, the Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health was released. In 1997, the Council released its report on Physical Activity and Sport in the Lives of Boys.
- In June 2010, President Barack Obama renamed the agency the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, with a new emphasis on nutrition as an element of fitness.[1] First Lady Michelle Obama announced the new commission's goal "to end the epidemic of childhood obesity in a generation" and also announced that the president had named, as the new co-chairs of the council, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and former Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes.[2][3]
Awards
The Council publishes guidelines for awards that are given out. They are the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, the National Physical Fitness Award, and the Participant Physical Fitness Award.[4] Additionally, there is the Health Fitness Test as an alternative,[5] the Active Lifestyle Award for staying active,[6] and the Presidential Champions Award for raising their amount of activity.[7]
See also
References
- ^ Executive Order--President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, White House press release, June 23, 2010.
- ^ "Michelle Obama jumps rope, emphasizes nutrition", USA Today, June 24, 2010.
- ^ "First Lady Launches President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition", White House press release, June 23, 2010.
- ^ Physical Fitness Awards
- ^ Health Fitness Test
- ^ Active Lifestyle Award
- ^ Presidential Champions Award
External links