U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday announced the return of the Presidential Fitness Test and launched GetActive.gov/kids, a new federal initiative aimed at promoting physical activity among children as part of President Donald Trump’s Make America Healthy Again agenda.
Kennedy joined more than 75 children at the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, New Jersey, to kick off the initiative, with students participating in fitness exercises alongside Kennedy, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and WWE stars including Paul Levesque, also known as Triple H.
The Presidential Fitness Test, a school-based physical assessment that measures students’ strength, endurance, speed and agility through exercises such as running, push-ups and pull-ups, was originally introduced by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 before being discontinued during the administration of President Barack Obama in 2013. HHS said schools across the country are expected to begin administering the updated test this fall using age-appropriate standards measuring strength, endurance, speed and agility.
HHS said GetActive.gov/kids will provide resources for parents, schools and communities to help children build healthier daily habits and stay physically active.
Childhood Obesity In Focus
Kennedy said the program’s return comes as the U.S. faces worsening child health outcomes.
In a Monday interview on Fox News’s Jesse Watters Primetime, Kennedy said the test will include sprints, pull-ups, push-ups and other physical challenges.
“Our children are now the sickest children in the world,” Kennedy said. He also described American children as among the most obese globally.
He said childhood obesity has risen from 3% in 1960 to roughly 20% today. He added that about 40% of U.S. adults are obese, while roughly 70% are overweight or obese. Kennedy also blamed modern diets, saying around 70% of Americans’ calories now come from ultra-processed foods.
Kennedy has repeatedly criticized ultra-processed foods and high-sugar products as part of his broader Make America Healthy Again agenda, arguing that diet plays a major role in America’s chronic disease burden.
HHS said nearly 1 in 5 children in the U.S. is overweight or obese. The agency also said 77% of young Americans are ineligible for military service, with poor health and physical fitness among the leading reasons.
Broader MAHA Push
The fitness initiative marks another health-focused rollout under Kennedy’s leadership. In recent months, the Trump administration launched Moms.gov to expand maternal health resources, while HHS also announced more than $700 million in mental health and addiction funding under broader public health initiatives.
Kennedy said restoring daily physical activity is critical to reversing long-term health decline among American children.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock
