View source for President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition

{{Short description|American government organization promoting fitness}}
{{Organization 
|OrganizationName=President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition
|OrganizationType=Independent Agencies (Sub-organization)
|Mission=The President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition (PCSFN) aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity for all Americans, regardless of background or ability. It works to engage, educate, and empower individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
|OrganizationExecutive=Executive Director
|Employees=  
|Budget= 
|Website=https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/presidents-council
|Services=Promotion of physical activity; Nutrition education; Recognition of achievements in fitness and sports; Advocacy for youth sports
|ParentOrganization=U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
|CreationLegislation=Executive Order 13265, amended by Executive Order 14048
|Regulations=
|HeadquartersLocation=39.083444, -77.115830
|HeadquartersAddress=
}}
[[File:President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.svg|thumb|President's Council logo]]
The '''President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition''' ('''PCSFN''') is an American government organization that aims to promote "programs and initiatives that motivate people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to lead active, healthy lives."<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition {{!}} health.gov |url=https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/presidents-council/about-pcsfn |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=health.gov}}</ref> It is part of the [[Office of Public Health and Science]], an agency of the [[United States Department of Health and Human Services]]. Prior to June 2010, it was called the '''President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports'''.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The History of FITNESSGRAM® |journal=Journal of Physical Activity and Health |date=2006 |volume=3 |issue=Suppl. 2 |pages=S5–S20 |doi=10.1123/jpah.3.s2.s5|last1=Plowman |first1=Sharon A. |last2=Sterling |first2=Charles L. |last3=Corbin |first3=Charles B. |last4=Meredith |first4=Marilu D. |last5=Welk |first5=Gregory J. |last6=Morrow |first6=James R. }}</ref>

The council's work is informed by a Science Board, composed primarily of academic researchers and scholars.<ref name="health.gov">{{cite web |url=https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/presidents-council/history-council |website=History of the Council |access-date=2023-09-11 |title=History of the Council}}</ref> The first Science Board was appointed during the George W. Bush administration in 2003 with Charles B. "Chuck" Corbin, Ph.D., Arizona State University, serving as its inaugural chair.<ref>{{cite journal |title=A History of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Research Digest |journal=President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Research Digest |date=2007 |volume=8 |issue=1 |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/572a208737013b7a93cf167e/t/5774186be3df2822cc1e8b16/1467226220260/Digest+2007_A+History+of+the+President%27s+Council+on+Physical+Fitness+and+Sports+Research+Digest_Series+8+Number+1+%28March%29.pdf}}</ref> In 2016, Corbin received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the PCSFN.<ref>{{cite web |title=PCSFN Lifetime Achievement Award |url=https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/presidents-council/programs-awards/pcsfn-lifetime-achievement-award}}</ref>

The Science Board was active for several years, but eventually went dormant. It was reinstated on June 21, 2019,<ref name="health.gov"/> with strong urging from organizations such as the National Academy of Kinesiology.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cardinal |first1=Bradley J. |title=Update on Science Board for The President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition |journal=National Academy of Kinesiology Newsletter |date=2018 |volume=40 |issue=1 |page=25 |url=https://nationalacademyofkinesiology.org/Content/Documents/fall_2018_newsletter.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Weiss Represents NAK in DC Meeting to Develop a National Youth Sports Strategy |url=https://nationalacademyofkinesiology.org/Content/Documents/spring_2019_newsletter.pdf}}</ref>

A newly formed Science Board was announced on January 22, 2020, with Bradley J. Cardinal, Ph.D., Oregon State University, appointed as chair.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Science Board |url=https://health.gov/news/202001/meet-presidents-council-sports-fitness-nutrition-science-board}}</ref> During their 2-year term, the Science Board established the scientific basis of the National Youth Sports Strategy, including a wide variety of evidence-based documents and reports.<ref>{{cite web |title=President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Science Board |url=https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/YSS_ScienceBoardReport_2020.09.01_opt.pdf |website=PCSFN Science Board Report on Youth Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Science Board |url=https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/YSS_Report_OnePager_2020-08-31_web.pdf |website=Benefits of youth sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=PCSFN 2020 Annual Council Meeting Agenda |url=https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/presidents-council/council-meetings/pcsfn-2020-annual-council-meeting-agenda}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Reenvisioning postpandemic youth sport to meet young people's mental, emotional, and social needs |journal=Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine |date=2021 |volume=6 |issue=4 |pages=1–7 |doi=10.1249/TJX.0000000000000177|last1=Whitley |first1=Meredith A. |last2=Smith |first2=Alan L. |last3=Dorsch |first3=Travis E. |last4=Bowers |first4=Matthew T. |last5=Centeio |first5=Erin E. |s2cid=244310505 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Reimagining the youth sport system across the United States: A commentary from the 2020–2021 President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Science Board |journal=Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance |date=2021 |volume=92 |issue=8 |pages=6–14 |doi=10.1080/07303084.2021.1963181|last1=Whitley |first1=Meredith A. |last2=Smith |first2=Alan L. |last3=Dorsch |first3=Travis E. |last4=Bowers |first4=Matthew T. |last5=Centeio |first5=Erin E. |s2cid=239769859 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cardinal |first1=Brad |title=Reflections on the 2020–2021 PCSFN Science Board. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |url=https://health.gov/news/202201/reflections-2020-2021-pcsfn-science-board}}</ref>

==History==
During the 1940s, the [[American Medical Association]] and the [[National Committee on Physical Fitness]] had a joint committee encouraging physical fitness.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ACBMAAAAYAAJ ''Journal of Health and Physical Education'']. 1944 p. 500, Archived at [[Google Books]].</ref>

The President's Council on Youth Fitness was founded on July 16, 1956, to encourage American children.<ref name="JFK Library">{{cite web |title=The Federal Government Takes on Physical Fitness |url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/physical-fitness |website=JFK Presidential Library and Museum |publisher=JFK library.org |date=August 2018}}</ref>

In 1963, [[President Kennedy]] changed the council's name to President's Council on Physical Fitness to reflect its role to serve all Americans.<ref name="JFK Library" />

In 1966, [[President Lyndon Johnson]] created the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, the 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maldonado |first1=Jim |title=Recreation Centers Needed in Cities |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64189688/the-santa-fe-new-mexican/ |access-date=28 November 2020 |work=The Santa Fe New Mexican |date=June 2, 1968 |page=B2}}</ref>

In 1972, the Presidential Sports Award Program was created.<ref>{{cite web|title=Illinois Parks & Recreation, Volume 26, 3 |url=https://www.lib.niu.edu/1995/ip950535.html#:~:text=The%20challenge%20of%20the%20Presidential,the%20challenge%20of%20personal%20fitness. |date=May–June 1995}}</ref>

In 1983, the [[United States Congress]] declared May as 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.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

In June 2010, President [[Barack Obama]] renamed the agency the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, with a new emphasis on nutrition as an element of fitness.<ref>[https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-presidents-council-fitness-sports-and-nutrition Executive Order – President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208110348/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-presidents-council-fitness-sports-and-nutrition |date=2017-02-08 }}, White House press release, June 23, 2010.</ref> [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] [[Michelle Obama]] 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 Saints]] quarterback [[Drew Brees]] and former Olympic gymnast [[Dominique Dawes]].<ref>[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/06/michelle-obama-jumps-rope-emphasizes-nutrition-/1 "Michelle Obama jumps rope, emphasizes nutrition"], ''[[USA Today]]'', June 24, 2010.</ref><ref>[https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/first-lady-launches-president-s-council-fitness-sports-and-nutrition "First Lady Launches President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216153520/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/first-lady-launches-president-s-council-fitness-sports-and-nutrition |date=2017-02-16 }}, White House press release, June 23, 2010.</ref>

On January 11, 2012, operators of the website for participants of the Challenge and Active Lifestyle programs learned that the site had been [[Hacker (computer security)|hacked]], resulting in the release of personal information of the participants.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tau|first=Bryon|title=Let's Move-affiliated website hacked|url=http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/01/lets-moveaffiliated-website-hacked-111532.html|work=Politico|access-date=January 19, 2012|date=January 19, 2012}}</ref> The President's Challenge site displayed a notice that it was down for "Site Maintenance – We're taking a little breather."<ref>{{cite web|title=Site Maintenance|url=https://www.presidentschallenge.org/maintenance/index.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113022659/http://www.presidentschallenge.org/maintenance/index.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 13, 2012|publisher=The President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition|access-date=January 19, 2012}}</ref> On January 20, 2012, the site was modified to explain the hacking.<ref>{{cite web|title=We apologize for the site maintenance. We will be back up soon.|url=https://www.presidentschallenge.org/maintenance/index.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113022659/http://www.presidentschallenge.org/maintenance/index.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 13, 2012|publisher=The President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition|access-date=January 20, 2012}}</ref> On January 27, 2012, The President's Challenge sent out emails to its participants saying that the website was functional as of January 24, 2012, and asked participants to reset their user passwords.<ref>[https://www.presidentschallenge.org/account/security.php Important Security Information]{{dead link|date=January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/preschal |title=Archived copy |website=[[Facebook]] |access-date=2012-05-13 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120513190541/http://www.facebook.com/preschal |archive-date=2012-05-13 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

==Past chairpersons==
[[File:PCPFSChairmanGeorgeAllen-81-87.jpg|thumb|right|[[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]] served as chairman from 1981 to 1988.]]
*[[Bud Wilkinson]] (chairman) 1961–1963
*[[Stan Musial]] Consultant 1964–1967
*[[Jim Lovell]] (chairman) 1969–1977
*[[Jerry Apodaca]] (chairman) 1978–1980
*[[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]] (chairman) 1981–1988
*[[Dick Kazmaier]] (chairman) 1988–1989
*[[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] (chairman) 1990–1993
*[[Florence Griffith Joyner]] (co-chair) 1993–1998
*[[Tom McMillen]] (co-chair) 1993–1997
*[[Lee Haney]] (chairman) 1999–2002
*[[Lynn Swann]] (chairman) 2002–2005
*[[Denise Austin]] 2002–2009
*[[Drew Brees]] (co-chair) 2010{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}
*[[Dominique Dawes]] (co-chair) 2010<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/06/michelle-obama-jumps-rope-emphasizes-nutrition-/1 |title=Michelle Obama jumps rope, emphasizes nutrition |last=Oldenburg |first=Ann |date=June 24, 2010 |website=USATODAY.COM |access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/first-lady-launches-president-s-council-fitness-sports-and-nutrition "First Lady Launches President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216153520/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/first-lady-launches-president-s-council-fitness-sports-and-nutrition |date=February 16, 2017 }}, White House press release, June 23, 2010.</ref>
*[[Lou Ferrigno]] 2018
*[[Misty May-Treanor]] (co-chair) 2019
*[[Mariano Rivera]] (co-chair) 2019
*[[Herschel Walker]] (co-chair) 2019<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the Council |url=https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/meet-the-council/index.html |website=HHS |publisher=HHS.gov |access-date=19 September 2019}}</ref>

The current co-chairs of the council are [[Jose Andres]] and [[Elena Delle Donne]], serving since March 23, 2022.<ref>https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/presidents-council/council-members
 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>

==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. However, it has been announced that the Physical Fitness Test on which these awards are based will no longer be available after the 2012–2013 school year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidentschallenge.org/celebrate/physical-fitness.shtml |title=Physical Fitness Awards |access-date=2013-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423075511/https://www.presidentschallenge.org/celebrate/physical-fitness.shtml |archive-date=2013-04-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Additionally, there is the Active Lifestyle Award for staying active<ref>[https://www.presidentschallenge.org/celebrate/active-lifestyle.shtml Active Lifestyle Award] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423075505/https://www.presidentschallenge.org/celebrate/active-lifestyle.shtml |date=2013-04-23 }}</ref> and the [[Presidential Champions Award]] for raising one's amount of activity.<ref>[https://www.presidentschallenge.org/celebrate/presidential-champions/index.shtml Presidential Champions Aware] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423075527/https://www.presidentschallenge.org/celebrate/presidential-champions/index.shtml |date=2013-04-23 }}</ref> The Champions awards ended on 30 June 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.choosemyplate.gov/tools-supertracker|title=SuperTracker Discontinued June 30, 2018|date=3 April 2015|website=Choose MyPlate|access-date=February 6, 2018|archive-date=February 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201171649/https://www.choosemyplate.gov/tools-supertracker|url-status=dead}}</ref> There is also a Community Leadership Award that is given out annually to 50 people or organizations for encouraging physical activity, fitness, and nutrition.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PCSFN Community Leadership Award {{!}} health.gov|url=https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/presidents-council/programs-awards/pcsfn-community-leadership-award#:~:text=The%20President%27s%20Council%20on%20Sports,related%20programs%20within%20a%20community.|access-date=2022-01-05|website=health.gov}}</ref>

===Standardized tests===
The award was given to students who achieved the top fifteenth percentile cumulative scores across these events and were based on age/gender and were taken by all participants. Pull ups/flexed-arm hang was based on gender and was the only event where one was done by boys and the other by girls:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/fitness/pdfs/50-year-anniversary-booklet.pdf |title=50 year anniversary booklet |website=www.hhs.gov |access-date=2019-06-10}}</ref>
* [[Sprint (running)#50 yards|50-yard dash]]
* [[600-yard run]]
* [[Standing long jump|Standing broad jump]]
* [[Pull-up (exercise)|Pull-ups]] (boys)
* [[Flexed-arm hang]] (girls)
* [[Sit-up]]s
* [[Shuttle run]]
* [[Sit and reach]]

==See also==
* [[The President's Challenge]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition}}
* {{Official website|http://www.fitness.gov/}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/about-pcsfn/our-history/index.html|title=Our History|first=Fitness & Nutrition|last=President’s Council on Sports|date=20 July 2012|website=HHS.gov}}

{{Dwight D. Eisenhower|state=collapsed}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health]]
[[Category:Sports nutrition]]
[[Category:United States national commissions]]
[[Category:1956 establishments in the United States]]