President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Encyclopedia
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
.
for raising their amount of activity.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
government organization that aims to "promote, encourage and motivate Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
of all ages to become physically active and participate in sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
". It is part of the Office of Public Health and Science
Office of Public Health and Science
The Office of Public Health and Science is an operating agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the managing personnel body for the United States Public Health Service. The office is under the direction of the Assistant Secretary for Health, who serves as the senior...
, an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
.
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. EisenhowerDwight D. EisenhowerDwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
. - In 1961, Kennedy discussed physical fitness with Wilma Rudolph.
- In 1963, President John F. KennedyJohn F. KennedyJohn Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
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. JohnsonLyndon B. JohnsonLyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
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 CongressUnited States CongressThe United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
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 ObamaBarack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
renamed the agency the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, with a new emphasis on nutrition as an element of fitness. First LadyFirst LadyFirst Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
Michelle ObamaMichelle ObamaMichelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is the wife of the 44th and incumbent President of the United States, Barack Obama, and is the first African-American First Lady of the United States...
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 SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
quarterback Drew BreesDrew BreesDrew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
and former Olympic gymnast Dominique DawesDominique DawesDominique Margaux Dawes is a retired United States artistic gymnast. She was 10-year member of the U.S. national gymnastics team, the 1994 U.S. all-around senior National Champion, a three-time Olympian, a World Championships silver medalist and a member of the gold-medal winning "Magnificent...
.
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. Additionally, there is the Health Fitness Test as an alternative, the Active Lifestyle Award for staying active, and the Presidential Champions AwardPresidential Champions Award
The President's Challenge is a program by President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports . The program encourages all Americans to make being active part of their everyday lives...
for raising their amount of activity.
See also
- Office of Public Health and ScienceOffice of Public Health and ScienceThe Office of Public Health and Science is an operating agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the managing personnel body for the United States Public Health Service. The office is under the direction of the Assistant Secretary for Health, who serves as the senior...
- United States Department of Health and Human ServicesUnited States Department of Health and Human ServicesThe United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
External links
- President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition official website