President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

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 sports". It's part of the Office of Public Health and Science an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

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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. Eisenhower.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy then changed its title to President's Council on Physical Fitness to reflect its role to serve all Americans.

In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson created the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, name of which was later changed to President's Challenge Youth Physical Fitness Awards Program. In 1968, its title 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 the United States Congress 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 PCPFS released its report on Physical Activity and Sport in the Lives of Girls.

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.^[1] Additionally, there is the Health Fitness Test as an alternative,^[2] the Active Lifestyle Award for staying active,^[3] and the Presidential Champions Awards for raising their amount of activity.^[4]