The Biden administration announced Thursday that more than 10 major North American sports leagues and player associations will partner with the White House to promote physical fitness and healthy eating across the country.
Second Gen. Doug Emhoff told reporters that this new partnership builds on the White House's challenge to end hunger and build healthy communities, and anticipates additional new initiatives to be announced. It is expected to be just the first of many.
“Too many Americans spend their days wondering where their next meal will come from, without the basic tools they need to be healthy. , suffer from diet-related diseases such as heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, which are some of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, and that is completely unacceptable,'' Emhoff said. said.
The 14 leagues and player associations that have signed new agreements with the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition will build on the leagues' existing programs, including the NFL's Play60 initiative, which encourages children to each get 60 minutes of exercise and play. I'm going to do it. According to government officials, MLB's PLAY BALL program, which has affected about 40 million children since 2007, encourages children to play baseball and softball and provides nutrition education. I encourage it.
Other leagues and organizations, including MLS, PGA Tour, and NWSL, also plan to engage in food recovery programs and nutrition education events.
Specifically, Emhoff said the NBA and WNBA will introduce nutrition education into community programs that already promote healthy eating and physical activity.
Emhoff said these organizations will continue to take action to combat food insecurity during the NBA's large-scale events scheduled for Feb. 16 through Feb. 18, including the All-Star Game weekend in Indianapolis. “I will do so,” he said, adding that he would also attend. , in a slightly excited tone.
Overall, partner leagues include the NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, MLS, NWSL, and PGA Tour, and athlete unions include the MLBPA, NWSLPA, NHLPA, MLSPA, and USLPA.
The White House Challenge was launched in March 2023 as a “call to action for stakeholders across society,” with the goal of ending hunger, reducing diet-related diseases, and reducing inequality by 2030. The administration said there is. A measure involving more than a dozen local authorities, community organizations and businesses to study strategies to facilitate the renovation and construction of schoolyards and playgrounds and to develop healthy living and eating strategies in local communities. Now you can start your team and have easy access to production.
“Sometimes there are big problems, but there are very simple solutions,” said José Andrés, a chef, humanitarian and co-chair of the President's Council. Solutions to problems across the board, including food insecurity, malnutrition and poor health, will come from governments, nonprofits, the private sector and individuals championing change, he said.
“Everyone should incorporate food into every decision, every action and every policy we make,” Andres told reporters. “Today, this historic partnership is one of the renewed commitments made through the White House Challenge and the Council of Presidents to demonstrate and engage everyone, absolutely everyone, and the physical and the way we take responsibility for the nutritional health of our neighbors and our future.”
Andres is the founder of World Central Kitchen, which provides healthy meals to survivors of disasters. He started the organization in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake and has since organized meals and aid to the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Cuba, Uganda and Poland to help refugees from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. I did.
“It goes without saying that for me, community is an act, a way of life of coexisting with those around you, creating change together, and supporting each other,” Andres said. “For me, community is collaboration, and I think collaboration is the key to truly meaningful action.”
