Ultra-Processed Foods are a Major Contributor to Chronic Childhood Diseases: HHS Study Claims

Report finds high rates of obesity and other diet-related conditions, with more than 40% of American children diagnosed with some form of chronic illness.

A new federal report that examines the causes of childhood chronic diseases indicates that diet, particularly ultra-processed foods, plays a significant role in the declining health of American children.

The “Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment” (PDF) was created by a presidential commission and published on May 22. Led by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the report was designed to investigate contributing factors to chronic diseases affecting children, such as diabetes, autism, obesity and other life-long health problems.

The commission blames much of that on children’s diets in general, and ultraprocessed foods in particular, indicating that nearly 70% of U.S. children’s calories come from consuming highly processed food products like sodas and snacks.

Ultra-Processed Food Concerns

Ultra-processed foods are products extensively altered through additional processing and enriched with additives like dyes, preservatives, emulsifiers and other artificial or refined ingredients that provide little to no nutritional value.

These foods typically contain five or more industrially produced components, such as flavor enhancers, sweeteners or hydrogenated oils, and account for approximately 58% of the average American diet.

Prior studies have found a strong association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes among children, along with other problems such as sleep disorders, respiratory issues and depression. In addition, ultra-processed foods have been linked to cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and heart failure.

As a result of these findings, many families have begun pursuing ultra-processed food lawsuits against the food industry, alleging that the food industry has intentionally promoted ultra-processed foods for children, despite the known health risks.

According to the new report, more than 40% of U.S. youths have been diagnosed with at least one chronic health condition. More than 75% of such chidren are ineligible for military service, mainly due to chronic conditions like obesity, poor physical fitness or mental health challenges, the report noted.

The report indicates that more than one in five U.S. children are currently considered obese, a 270% increase over childhood obesity rates in the 1970s. A quarter of teens have pre-diabetes, and childhood cancer rates have increased nearly 40% over the last 50 years.

Rampant problems also include mental health issues, with one in 31 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, teen depression rates doubling since 2009, and 3 million high school students considering suicide in 2023 alone, the researchers determined.

“We will end the childhood chronic disease crisis by attacking its root causes head-on—not just managing its symptoms,” Kennedy said in a press release. “We will follow the truth wherever it leads, uphold rigorous science, and drive bold policies that put the health, development, and future of every child first.”

The report also warns of widespread chemical exposure, and other potential risks, including vaccines. The administration indicates that the next step is to conduct scientific research and develop a plan to combat these problems. However, the report is already coming under fire for potentially questionable science, particularly when it comes to vaccines and autism.

The commission is expected to produce a strategic plan within the next 82 days. However, the administration has already taken some steps toward these goals, announcing a ban on artificial dyes frequently used in ultra-processed foods last month.