Reducing Obesity in Youth Act of 2025

This bill aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity and address food insecurity among children aged birth through five years in early care and education settings. It establishes the Healthy Kids Grant Program , authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the CDC Director, to award five-year competitive grants. These grants will be given to eligible entities such as nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, or research centers with expertise in early childhood health and obesity prevention. Grant funds will be used to work with implementing partners, including States, territories, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations. Activities include training early care and education providers through direct coaching and technical assistance, and building State capacity to integrate healthy eating and physical activity into existing programs. The bill also supports testing innovative, evidence-informed approaches to promote healthy habits and child development, such as linking early care and education with healthcare providers and engaging families. Implementing partners must serve diverse populations across rural and urban settings. The bill mandates the Secretary to contract with a national independent evaluator to ensure compliance and assess the outcomes of grant activities. Additionally, it allows for funding to track State progress in obesity prevention policies and practices within early care and education programs, and to measure changes in food security. The Act authorizes an appropriation of $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for the grant program, with an additional $1,700,000 for fiscal year 2026 specifically for tracking state progress. A report on the program's results, best practices, and lessons learned must be submitted to Congress after completion.