Ultra-processed Foods, Chemicals, and Chronic Illness: RFK Jr.’s MAHA Report About Children’s Health in America

This week RFK, Jr. released his first MAHA report , Make Our Children Healthy Again, on the rise of chronic diseases among American children.  These include health issues of obesity, diabetes, cancer, autism, allergies, and mental health. The report identifies several causes contributing to the rise of these chronic diseases.  “Today’s children are the sickest generation in American history in terms of chronic disease…” 

What are some key findings about the rise of chronic disease in American children?

• Nearly half of America’s children have a chronic illness.
• Cancer: Childhood cancer is up more than 40% since 1975. (Does eating ultra-processed foods increase cancer risk? )
• Obesity: More than 1 in 5 children over 6 years old in the US are obese.  A 270% increase since the 1970’s. 
• Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes.  No longer.  Today, over 350,000 children have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  Today one in four teenagers have pre-diabetes which has more than doubled in the last 2 decades. 
• Autism: 1 in 31 children have autism spectrum disorder by the age of 8.  Interestingly, the rate varies a lot by state with 9.7/1,000 in Texas, 53/1,000 in California. 
• Allergies: Allergies including seasonal, eczema, food allergies affect 1 in 4 children.

What are some of the potential drivers causing the rise in chronic disease in America’s children?

• Ultra-processed food: Nearly 70% of children’s caloric intake now comes from ultra-processed food.  Such food can be high in added sugars, contain chemical additives, and saturated fats.  Many children are lacking in fruits and vegetables and nutrients including fiber.  Ultra-processed foods often contain harmful additives, more calories and less nutrients than less processed foods.   Not just children, but ultra-processed foods make up over 50% of the diets of pregnant and postpartum mothers.  (See:  Ultraprocessed food-what is it? )
• Chemicals: Children are now exposed to more chemicals which may lead to developmental issues and chronic disease. The report notes there are over 2,500 food additives including emulsifiers, binders, sweeteners, colorings and preservatives in our foods.   Some of these food additives have been linked to ADHD, heart disease, cancer and metabolic syndrome.  Toxic chemicals are now appearing in baby food and breast milk.  The report noted weed killers used on crops like glyphosate and atrazine may be linked to health disorders.  (See: Food Additives and Your Health) 
• Lack of physical activity:  The majority of children (over 70%) and teenagers (85%) fail to get the recommended 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise a day. 
• Overmedication: Are medications being overprescribed to children?

What foods and nutrients are missing from the American diet? 

• Fruit: 50% of kids aged 2-18 eat no fruit in a day.  Not surprising to me.  In the nutrition class I taught, the only fruit one of my students had was the lemon slice in her iced tea.  And she didn’t eat the lemon slice, just counted the lemon juice as her fruit serving.  Another student counted jellybeans as her fruit serving.  When I questioned this, she noted the jellybeans she ate had some fruit juice in the ingredients. 
• Missing/low nutrients: Vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium are important nutrients needed for growth and development of children.  Yet, foods like cow’s milk are often totally missing from children’s diets.   

What are some foods highlighted in the report? 

• Leafy greens for magnesium and folate.
• Salmon for healthy omega-3 fats.
• Beans for fiber to feed the healthy gut bacteria.
• Nuts for magnesium for healthy cell activity.
• Beef for protein for muscles.
• Cow’s milk and other dairy products for calcium, vitamin D, good fatty acids needed for bone health, and to help regulate inflammation and may even reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Next Steps:

The MAHA Commission plans to release a report in August 2025 that will put forth a strategy for making children healthy again. 

In conclusion, the findings from RFK, Jr.’s MAHA Report paint a striking picture of the health challenges facing America’s children today.  With chronic diseases on the rise—from obesity and diabetes to autism and allergies, it’s clear that urgent action is needed to reverse this alarming trend.  The report highlights key contributing factors including poor diet, chemical exposure, lack of physical activity, and potential overmedication, offering a roadmap toward a healthier future.

While these statistics may be concerning, they also serve as a call to action.  Improving children’s health requires collective efforts—parents making informed choices, schools prioritizing better nutrition, healthcare providers advocating for preventive care, and policymakers enacting meaningful change.  Small shifts, like incorporating whole foods, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals in our food, and encouraging movement, can help pave the way for stronger, healthier generations.

As the MAHA Commission prepares to unveil its strategy in August 2025, one thing is clear.  By prioritizing children’s well-being, we can Make Our Children Healthy Again and ensure their brighter, healthier future. 

Sources:  MAHA report , chronic diseases , Does eating ultra-processed foods increase cancer risk?  , Type 2 diabetes, Ultraprocessed food-what is it? , Food Additives and Your Health , MAHA Report , MAHA Commission  Image Sources:  Prediabetes in Youth