The Shape of the Nation's Youth Recent studies have shown that the vast majority of America's children and youth are not physically fit. And more tragically, they are not getting enough physical education to understand how and why to keep themselves fit for life. Some 70 percent of girls and 40 percent of boys who are 6 to 12 do not have enough muscle strength to do more than one pull-up.
Most children lead inactive lives.
Nutrition experts agree that children generally have unhealthy diets. They eat too many foods high in cholesterol, fat, sodium, sugar, and calories. If there is a good reason to be concerned about our children's fitness, it is to assure them a future that is unlike the present for many of their parents.