Wellness · 2026-09-21
CDC Data Show Encouraging Progress in Youth Health
The CDC reported improvements in several health indicators among U.S. high school students using 2023–2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data. The share of students who played on a sports team rose from 52% to 58%, while daily activity, muscle-strengthening activity, and meeting recommended activity guidelines did not improve.
The CDC’s latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey release reports encouraging movement in several youth-health indicators between 2023 and 2025.
Sports-team participation increased from 52% to 58% among surveyed U.S. high school students. At the same time, the release says daily physical activity, muscle-strengthening activity, and meeting recommended activity guidelines did not improve.
That combination matters: organized sport can be an important access point, but communities still need pathways that make regular movement practical outside of team participation.