CDC Youth Health Report Highlights Nutrition Over Mental Health Trends
· World · NBC News
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, shifting its primary focus to physical activity and dietary habits among high school students. The report indicates that 58% of students participated in sports in 2025, up from 52% in 2023, while daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, and water also increased. Under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the agency emphasized these findings as part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative. While previous reports detailed specific mental health struggles among teen girls, the 2025 data shows a decline in reported persistent sadness or hopelessness to 43%. The report did not include specific data on LGBTQ youth, despite noting their inclusion in the survey population.
Why it matters
The shift in reporting priorities reflects a new federal emphasis on chronic disease prevention through diet and exercise, potentially altering how public health resources are allocated for adolescent mental health.
Read the original report — NBC News
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