The Cooper Institute is in the process of creating partnerships and strategic alliances to combat the growing issues surrounding youth inactivity and obesity in America.

The scientific research and advocacy group focuses on preventive medicine and public health.

Jeremy Lyon, president of the organisation's youth wing, and long-term educator said: "I've watched, firsthand, the fitness and overall health of our students decline, as our student population has become more overweight and less active.

"We place the blame for these negative changes on adults and society, with children enjoying too much screen time, sugar and fast food, while engaging in too little physical activity," he continued.

The Institute says it will fight the challenge "with a level of commitment of resources that is unprecedented", saying intervention programmes and strategies are being formulated to improve youth health and force a cultural shift in society, to "raise a healthier generation that is, quite simply, life-ready."

Lyon said "It's our responsibility to correct and improve student fitness and health in every aspect of their lives, and we need to do it quickly."

The Cooper Institute sees the potential for great progress in youth health and academic performance when education is approached from a 'whole child' approach.

This stresses the importance of the physical and emotional health of students, while also encouraging pupils through active engagement and adult support.

"Our young people want to be healthy, and yes, they're a captive audience during their school years, but they're also a willing audience, completely receptive to interventions based on education and practice." Said Lyon.

Dealing with youth inactivity and unhealthy lifestyles will lead to a number of areas of improvement, he said:

- fit and healthy students stand to live higher quality, longer and more active lives.

- they achieve higher academic standards and have better attendance in school, and later on in the workplace. - improvements to the US youth health profile will mitigate the healthcare crisis and improve economic development and the US workforce's readiness for the future.