In a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it was revealed that ultra-processed foods still make up more than half of the calories consumed by both adults and children in the U.S., despite a slight decrease in recent years. This finding highlights a significant public health issue that is a key focus of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" initiative.
The State of the American Diet
From 2021 to 2023, approximately 53% of calories consumed by adults and 62% of calories consumed by children came from ultra-processed foods. While these numbers are a slight improvement from 2017-2018, they still show a heavy reliance on these foods, which are typically high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat, and low in fiber.
Experts link the high consumption of these foods to a range of health problems, including:
- Weight gain and obesity
- Chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes
- Mental health issues like depression
- A potentially shorter lifespan
Dr. Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, emphasizes that there are "no health benefits associated with eating ultra-processed foods." She notes that these foods are often designed to be highly palatable and calorie-dense, making it easy to consume large amounts without feeling full.
Why the Disparity?
Income levels were found to be a major factor in adult diets. Wealthier adults consumed fewer ultra-processed foods compared to those with lower incomes. Interestingly, this difference was less noticeable among children, who consistently had a higher intake of these foods than adults, regardless of their family's income.
According to Dr. Jamie Chriqui, a public health expert, this disparity is often tied to food accessibility and cost. Ultra-processed foods are frequently cheaper than whole foods and are more readily available in many communities. While some food assistance programs have restrictions on what can be purchased, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides families with the flexibility to buy whatever they need to make their money last, often leading them to choose less expensive, ultra-processed options.
A Focus on Children's Health
Children are eating more ultra-processed foods than adults, a trend that's been happening for over ten years. This is especially concerning to experts because childhood is when we form lifelong eating habits. For both children and adults, burgers and sandwiches are the leading sources of ultra-processed calories, followed by sweet bakery products. Kids also get a significant amount of these calories from savory snacks and pizza.
For both children and adults, burgers and sandwiches are the leading sources of ultra-processed calories, followed by sweet bakery products. Kids also get a significant amount of these calories from savory snacks and pizza.
In a move to combat this issue, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, plans to create a formal definition for ultra-processed foods. Secretary Kennedy stated that a clear standard will "empower us even more to Make America Healthy Again" by tackling the core causes of chronic diseases.
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