H.R. 5224: Reducing Obesity in Youth Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Reducing Obesity in Youth Act of 2025, aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity among children from birth to age 5, particularly in early care and education settings. It recognizes the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's health, including food insecurity and increased risk of obesity due to economic instability. The legislation outlines various findings that emphasize the importance of early dietary and activity habits on long-term health outcomes for children.

Key Purposes of the Bill

• Establish a program to enhance training for early care and education providers to support healthy eating and physical activity among young children.
• Provide support to states to connect early care programs with nutrition assistance resources.
• Monitor the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity in these settings.
• Engage families in efforts to promote healthy behaviors for their children.

Healthy Kids Grant Program

The bill introduces a grant program managed by the Secretary of Health through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This program will award competitive grants to eligible organizations focused on improving nutrition and physical activity for children aged birth to five years. Areas of focus include:

• Increasing healthy eating and physical activity in early education environments.
• Addressing food insecurity among young children.

Eligibility for Grants

Eligible entities that can apply for these grants include:

• Nonprofit organizations with expertise in early childhood health and obesity prevention.
• Institutions of higher education or research centers specializing in training early care providers.
• Consortia of multiple eligible entities applying jointly.

Use of Funds

Entities receiving grants must use the funds to:

• Create programs training early care providers on healthy habits.
• Build state capacity to integrate healthy practices into existing early care programs.
• Test innovative methods for promoting health in early care settings.

Tracking Progress

The Secretary will monitor progress in obesity prevention policies, food security, and the outcomes of such grant activities. A report will be submitted to Congress assessing the results and best practices identified through the grant programs.

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes funding of $5 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to support the grant program and an additional $1.7 million for tracking state progress in the first year.

Definition of Early Care and Education

The term ‘early care and education’ refers to programs serving children from birth to age five, which may include childcare programs, Head Start, family childcare, and pre-kindergarten initiatives.

Relevant Companies

• SYF - Synchrony Financial: This company could be involved if they offer financial services to childcare providers affected by this bill.
• AHN - AdventHealth: This healthcare provider might see changes in community health initiatives if they partner with early childhood programs.
• KMB - Kimberly-Clark Corporation: As a producer of various products used in childcare settings, changes in health programs could affect their sales and distribution strategies.