A recent biennial report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focused on the health behaviors of high school students, with an emphasis on physical activity and dietary habits—key priorities for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The report, published by the CDC on Monday, is based on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which collects data from high school students across the United States. This survey provides the most comprehensive look at teen health, covering topics such as mental health, use of social media, substance use, physical activity, sleep patterns, and eating habits. Previous reports had highlighted rising concerns such as sexual violence against teen girls and high rates of opioid use. Under Kennedy’s leadership, the 2025 report showed some positive trends. More high schoolers reported eating fruits and vegetables daily and drinking water at least three times a day compared to 2023. Additionally, 58% of students participated in sports teams in 2025, up from 52% in 2023. Dr. Jennifer Shuford, CDC’s chief medical officer, stated that these findings support the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which links chronic disease in children to poor diet and sedentary lifestyles. Kennedy has also reintroduced the presidential fitness test in public schools and introduced new dietary guidelines that limit the consumption of highly processed foods. The report also noted a decline in persistent sadness or hopelessness among high school students, dropping from 53% in 2023 to 43% in 2025. This follows a peak of 57% in 2021 during the pandemic. However, the report did not specifically address the mental health of LGBTQ youth, who are known to face higher risks of poor mental health and suicidal thoughts. Mike Underwood, acting director of the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health, said the report aimed to provide a broad overview of youth health behaviors for use in schools and communities. Ariel Beccia, a research scientist at Boston Children’s Hospital, noted that while overall mental health trends show improvement, these benefits may not be evenly distributed across all groups. She emphasized the value of the CDC survey for capturing data on different races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. Beccia also pointed out that the report omitted some key factors, such as social and economic influences on teen health, like access to grocery stores. Despite this, Dr. Aaron Reliford from NYU Langone praised the focus on physical health and nutrition, noting that reducing social media use and increasing physical activity can improve mental health overall. The report found that about one-third of students use social media at least every hour, a trend that has remained stable in recent years.