CDC Report Highlights Improvements in Teen Nutrition and Mental Health

The 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey by the CDC reveals encouraging trends in the nutritional habits and mental well-being of high school students, showing improvements in both areas compared to previous years. However, the findings do not delve deeply into disparities among different demographic groups.

Want to explore the research behind this topic?Search the NPRL

Improvements in Dietary Habits

According to the CDC report released on September 22, 2026, more high school students engaged in healthier eating behaviors in 2025. Specifically, there was an increase in the number of students who consume fruits and vegetables daily and drink water at least 3 times a day compared to 2023. This reflects a broader trend towards better nutritional choices among adolescents. It is noted that Beccia said several other items seemed missing from the new report. For instance, she expected it to mention social and economic factors that dictate whether teens can eat healthy foods, such as proximity to grocery stores.

Increased Participation in Sports

The report noted that 58% of high school students participated on sports teams in 2025, up from 52% in 2023. This rise in athletic engagement may contribute to improved physical health and associated mental health benefits, aligning with initiatives to foster healthier lifestyles among youth.

The report noted that 58% of high school students participated on sports teams in 2025, up from 52% in 2023.

Positive Shifts in Mental Health

There has been a notable decline in reports of persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness among high school students, dropping from 53% in 2023 to 43% in 2025. This improvement suggests positive developments in the mental health landscape for adolescents, contrasting with earlier data that indicated a peak in feelings of sadness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the report avoided a detailed examination of the challenges faced by marginalized groups, including LGBTQ youth, who generally experience higher rates of mental health issues.

Ariel Beccia, an instructor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, emphasized that improvements in mental health may not be shared equally across populations. She highlighted the CDC survey’s inclusion of data across racial, ethnic, and sexual-orientation groups as an important strength. “Overall, we see things are getting better, but for whom? Oftentimes, it’s the more advantaged groups,” Beccia said. She also noted gaps in the new report, including limited attention to the social and economic conditions that shape teens’ access to nutritious food, such as the availability of nearby grocery stores.

THE CNP TAKEAWAY

The findings from the CDC’s latest survey highlight a positive shift in nutritional habits and mental health among teens. However, it is essential to consider these trends within the broader context of disparities among different demographic groups, ensuring that all youths have access to healthy options and support.