Gov. Tate Reeves has signed an executive order to reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools across Mississippi.
The move by the state’s top elected official follows a July order issued by President Donald Trump to bring back the Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition and push for establishing a nationwide set of physical exercises to boost the health of young people.
The Presidential Fitness Test began in 1966 but was discontinued by President Barack Obama in 2012. As part of the current administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, officials are pushing the test’s return to help combat what they believe to be an obesity epidemic, which has led to a spike in chronic diseases in the U.S.
“For far too long, the physical and mental health of the American people has been neglected. Rates of obesity, chronic disease, inactivity, and poor nutrition are at crisis levels, particularly among our children,” Trump wrote.
Reeves, parroting the White House’s sentiments, contended that Mississippi’s youth indulge in unhealthy habits — spending hours sitting and scrolling on electronic devices and eating junk food — while neglecting ample physical exercise.
“Students across the country are spending far too much time sitting around looking at screens and eating too much highly-processed junk food. We know that obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and poor nutrition lead to more negative health outcomes,” Reeves wrote on X. “If we want more healthy adults in our society, it’s important that we encourage students to be physically active and educate them on healthy eating habits.”
I’ve signed Executive Order 1589 to reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test for elementary, middle and high school students across Mississippi.
Students across the country are spending far too much time sitting around looking at screens and eating too much highly-processed… pic.twitter.com/C3pLaXAjKh
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) October 30, 2025
As part of the governor’s executive order, State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney is tasked with compiling a report that proposes evidence-based strategies and campaigns to address alleged deficiencies in nutrition, diet, and exercise across the state. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Lance Evans is directed to work with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Education Secretary Linda McMahon on a plan to reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test.
Both reports are expected to be submitted by June 20, 2026. Reeves plans to have the fitness test take place on campuses statewide during the 2026-27 school year.
“Mississippi will do its part to build a healthier America,” Reeves added.
