WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews) — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday spotlighted alarming obesity rates among American children and adults, calling the nation’s health decline an “eye-opener” as the Trump administration moves to reinstate school-based physical fitness standards.
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“We’ve gone from 5% of our kids being obese to 20%, 70% of adults are obese or overweight, and 77% of our children cannot qualify for military service,” Kennedy said. “And that should be an eye-opener for all of us.”
Kennedy made the remarks alongside President Donald Trump as the administration announced the revival of the Presidential Physical Fitness Test and Award, a program discontinued during the Obama administration. Trump’s action aims to promote physical activity in schools and encourage friendly competition to improve the nation’s fitness.
“I’m so grateful to President Trump for his leadership and his vision of reinstituting the physical fitness test and challenging Americans to compete with each other in a friendly, congenial way, and to help each other get in shape so that we can prepare for a great future that this administration is going to provide for this country,” Kennedy added.
The initiative ties into the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, addressing chronic health issues among youth that affect military readiness and overall national strength. Officials noted the test will initially be mandatory at schools on U.S. military installations, with encouragement for broader adoption.
Kennedy referenced his late uncle, President John F. Kennedy, who had promoted physical fitness, emphasizing concerns over Americans “becoming soft” and the links to national security and economic vitality.
Public health data aligns with the trends Kennedy cited, with recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures showing childhood obesity exceeding 20% in recent years.
VINnews will continue to monitor developments on this and related health policy initiatives.
Kennedy, pay attention, this has been an on-going issue for 40 years or more. HFCS was the beginning and reduction in physical education (it’s discriminatory) continued the obesity trend.
Why did Obama stop it? So not like him or Michelle.
America is a nation of fatsos. It’s begeder rov-am, look arround on the streets or any public arena. RFKjr hadly made a dent in our biggest national health threat.
Let Trump pass it. Orange Cheeto is obese. Glass house, stones. . . .