Dallas, July 17, 2026 — New findings highlight how declining physical activity is worsening health outcomes for American children, fueling trends in youth obesity. The research, released in Circulation—the American Heart Association’s flagship journal—reports that obesity among young people increased by about 30% between 1999 and 2023, while severe obesity climbed by 50%. Such numbers point to a prolonged shift in population-level energy balance, likely shaped by reduced movement opportunities, changes in daily routines, and widening disparities in access to safe, supportive spaces for activity.
The study’s timing also matters: it spans more than two decades during which sedentary behavior became increasingly embedded in school and home life. From a public health perspective, these longitudinal changes strengthen the argument that prevention must address not only diet, but also the structural conditions that enable daily exertion. When physical activity falls below health targets, cardiovascular risk factors can accumulate early, setting the stage for later metabolic and heart-related disease.
To counter barriers, the American Heart Association and the National Football League (NFL) have expanded school-based programming through NFL PLAY 60. In 2026, the initiative awarded grants to 164 schools across 44 states, marking the third round of funding this year. The grants are funded through a $350,000 annual investment by the NFL in partnership with the American Heart Association.
Funding is designed to be responsive to needs identified by educators, including improvements to equipment, recess environments, and inclusive physical education delivery. By targeting modifiable elements of the school day, the program aims to increase participation among students who might otherwise remain inactive due to limited resources or lack of welcoming opportunities.
The American Heart Association emphasizes that schools are a powerful leverage point because they shape daily behavior for large numbers of children. Their approach aligns with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which recommend at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day for children and adolescents.
Despite these recommendations, fewer than one in four U.S. children currently meet physical activity targets. NFL PLAY 60 seeks to close that gap by encouraging consistent movement and strengthening the practical infrastructure schools require to make activity feasible.
“As access to time, space, and equipment changes, participation can change,” said NFL social responsibility leadership. The grants are framed as removing obstacles so that more students can join play and build habits that persist beyond the classroom.
Additional details on NFL PLAY 60 resources and grants are available at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.
Subject of Research: Youth obesity trends and physical activity levels in the United States
Article Title: Not specified
News Publication Date: July 17, 2026
Web References: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.126.080146 ; https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000000000000000001303
References: Not specified
Image Credits: Not specified
Keywords: youth obesity, physical activity, children’s health, severe obesity, school-based interventions, NFL PLAY 60, American Heart Association, Circulation
Tags: American Heart Association health initiativeschildhood cardiovascular risk factorscommunity-based health interventionsdisparities in access to safe play spacesimpact of sedentary behavior on childrenimproving student health outcomeslongitudinal studies on youth obesity trendsNFL PLAY 60 grantspromoting physical activity in schoolsPublic health strategies for childhood obesityschool-based physical activity programsYouth obesity prevention
