Biden Administration partners with US sports leagues, player unions to promote nutrition
The White House announced it is partnering with the major U.S. sports leagues and its player associations to boost physical activity and nutrition across the country as part of the Biden Administration's ambitious goal of ending hunger in the country.
The NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and WNBA among other leagues will be part of the initiative, with each league focusing on its efforts in increasing their outreach, specifically on nutrition. The leagues' partnership with the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition will aim to "promote healthy lifestyles to the millions of people who engage in their programs every year." The White House believes this is a major step toward a goal President Joe Biden set in 2022 of ending hunger and reducing diet-related diseases by 2030.
"This new partnership was cultivated as part of the White House's challenge to end hunger and build healthy communities, a nationwide call to action the Biden Harris administration launched last year to inspire stakeholders across all of society to make bold commitments," second gentleman Doug Emhoff told reporters.
US sports leagues new commitments
Fourteen leagues in the U.S. will be involved in the partnership, announcing new commitments to their outreach program. The following leagues are part of the deal, as well as their expanded efforts:
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- NFL: Build on its national youth health and wellness platform PLAY60 to empower youth to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day, as well as integrate nutrition importance into its messaging for the program.
- MLB: Bolster its global PLAY BALL initiative, which encourages youth in communities to play baseball and softball, with nutrition education. MLB will also share this message at future PLAY BALL events.
- Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA): Build on its work with players to support nutrition education, including in the MLB Players Virtual League, which teaches young people to develop healthy behaviors and establish lifelong healthy habits.
- NHL: Expand access and opportunity for children to experience hockey through financial investments in communities, national advocacy and strategic programming.
- National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA): Add nutrition education and messaging to community initiatives. The NHLPA’s Goals & Dreams program, which helps children play the sport by donating equipment to community-based programs, will hold several events this year with various community partners.
- NBA and WNBA: Continue developing programming and events that promote physical activity to all young people and taking action to combat food insecurity.
- PGA Tour: Promote the physical and nutrition benefits of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans through events.
- MLS: Build on its work on nutrition security for communities by expanding food recovery to every MLS stadium, with the goal of surpassing last year's 400,000 meal donations during community service events.
- Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA): MLSPA will build on existingcommunity programming to spotlight nutrition as a facet of performing well on the field and continue to elevate the importance of healthy eating.
- NWSL: Leverage its 15 teams to promote healthy eating, physical activity and nutrition messaging through community events.
- National Women’s Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA): Work with players and other teams to raise awareness to young people about the importance of nutrition and physical activity.
- United Soccer League Players Association (USLPA): Partner with the President’s Council to continue promoting nutrition.