RFK Jr. singles out 4 potential causes of ‘crisis’ impacting nearly half of America’s kids, shocking report shows
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fingered four potential causes of childhood chronic disease in a bombshell report released Thursday — the first step in the Trump administration’s bid to reverse what it calls a health “crisis” impacting 40% of America’s kids.
The report identified poor diet, environmental chemicals, lack of physical activity and chronic stress, and overmedicalization as likely responsible for persistent maladies — including obesity, autism, cancer, mental health issues and allergies — warning: “The health of American children is in crisis.”
Poor diet
The report cites “ultra processed foods” (UPFs) as among the most likely causes of the chronic disease crisis.
While they may have been created with a good purpose in mind, the commission writes, 70% of the diets of American children are currently made up of high-caloric, low-nutrient foods.
The problematic ingredients include ultra-processed grains, sugars and fats, which largely didn’t exist a century ago.
UPFs make up 50% of all Americans’ diets, the report states, while making up just 10% to 31% of the intake in countries like Portugal, Italy and France.
Chemicals in the environment
The report also cites unnatural substances in the air, land and sea as potential causes of chronic disease, especially in children — who are described as more susceptible due to potential impacts in utero.
Dangerous chemicals are present in items including heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics, cleaning products and cosmetics.
The report also warns of electromagnetic radiation from technology including mobile phones and laptop computers.
Decline in exercise
Children being more sedentary in the digital age also could lead to chronic disease through lack of exercise and limited time outside, the report found.
Children are less likely to play, ride their bike to school, engage in games at recess and exercise in general, choosing to spend time on the internet instead.
The higher access to screens — with nearly 50% of teens reporting that they are constantly online — also contributes to mental health issues as well as loneliness, lack of sleep and chronic stress, the report found.
Overmedicalization
One in five US children are reported to take prescription medications, including for ADHD, antidepressants, antibiotics and more.