Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2025

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical period for establishing healthy dietary and physical activity behaviors, which support growth, development, and chronic disease prevention. However, most adolescents do not meet national guidelines for healthy eating and daily physical activity, and previous data indicated declines in these behaviors. This report uses nationally representative data from the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey to update estimates of dietary and physical activity behaviors among U.S. high school students overall and by sex, race and ethnicity, and grade. In addition, 2-year comparisons (2023 versus 2025) of these behaviors were examined. In 2025, during the 7 days before the survey was administered, 39% of high school students ate fruit ≥1 time per day, 63% ate vegetables ≥1 time per day, 27% ate breakfast daily, 30% had not drunk sugar-sweetened soda or pop, 51% had not drunk sports drinks, and 58% drank ≥3 glasses per day of plain water. In addition, approximately 25% of students met aerobic guidelines (were physically active for ≥60 minutes per day on all 7 days), 51% met muscle-strengthening guidelines (exercised to strengthen muscles on ≥3 days per week), 16% met both aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines, 20% attended physical education classes on all 5 school days, and 58% played on at least one sports team during the 12 months before the survey. From 2023 to 2025, overall increases were observed for eating fruit ≥1 time per day, eating vegetables ≥1 time per day, and drinking ≥3 glasses per day of plain water. Sports team participation also increased; however, students attending physical education class on all 5 school days decreased. Despite certain improvements since 2023, the 2025 prevalence of most healthy dietary behaviors and physical activity behaviors remained low. Understanding the current data can guide actions to create environments that support healthy behaviors in schools, communities, and at home and might help adolescents meet national recommendations for healthy eating and physical activity.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. MMWR Supplements, 2026 · DOI ↗