WASHINGTON — More than a dozen sports leagues and player organizations, from the NFL to the PGA Tour, have promised the White House they will increase opportunities for people to be physically active and learn about nutrition and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
White House announced on Thursday Leagues and associations participating in the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. The challenge was launched last year as a follow-up to the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
At the conference, President Joe Biden announced a national strategy to achieve the ambitious goals of ending hunger and reducing diet-related diseases by 2030. The challenge asks parties with a stake in the outcome to make “bold commitments” to achieve the goal. According to the White House.
Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, said it is “totally unacceptable” that obesity and type 2 diabetes are among the leading causes of death in the United States.
He said the leagues will help achieve Biden's goals by signing an agreement with the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, an advisory body that exists to promote healthy eating and physical activity. He said the company had “strengthened” the system. The council will be co-chaired by chef José Andrés and WNBA player Elena Delle Dan.
Some of the promises announced by sports leagues include:
The NFL plans to expand PLAY60, a national health program that encourages young people to spend at least 60 minutes a day in physical activity. The NFL also plans to incorporate the importance of nutrition into the program's messaging.
The NBA and WNBA will continue to develop programs and events that promote healthy eating and physical activity among young people, including the All-Star Game in Indianapolis later this month. Emhoff said he plans to attend the game.
He said the NHL, MLB, MLS, NWSL and other sports leagues have made similar commitments.
