Americans are getting more than half their calories from unhealthy, ultra-processed foods, according to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report comes as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pushing plans to “Make America Healthy Again,” which include cutting down on the amount of ultra-processed foods Americans eat.
What are ultra-processed foods?
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According to the CDC, Americans get 55% of their calories from ultra-processed foods.
While there is no official definition of what counts as an ultra-processed food, the report described them as “hyperpalatable,” containing little to no whole foods and being low in dietary fiber while being high in salt, sweeteners and unhealthy fats.
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Right now, nutritionists broadly define ultra-processed foods as products created through industrialized processes and items that use ingredients typically not found in a household cupboard. Those include things like high-fructose corn syrup and chemical additives. Ultra-processed products are also made with artificial flavors and ingredients that keep them preserved for longer periods of time.
The Department of Health and Human Services is currently working to create a uniform federal definition for ultra-processed foods.
Common ultra-processed foods include frozen dinners, packaged snacks, soda and chips.
What does the new data show?
According to the report, on average, ultra-processed food comprised about 55% of Americans’ total calories between 2021 and 2023.
Children 18 and younger saw a higher percentage of their calories from ultra-processed foods — nearly 62%. It’s 53% for adults.
It’s not all bad news, though. The report shows Americans are getting fewer of their calories from ultra-processed foods now than they were a few years ago. The average was 56% for adults and 66% for kids between 2017 and 2018.
What does this mean for Americans’ health?
The United States is considered one of the fattest countries in the world. According to the Global Obesity Observatory, the United States ranks 19th in the world for obesity, with nearly 43% of the adult population considered obese.
A recent study found diet plays a bigger role in whether a person is obese than lack of exercise and named higher calorie intake from ultra-processed foods as a main factor. Multiple other studies have also linked ultra-processed foods to a myriad of health concerns.
The World Health Organization defines obesity as a “chronic complex disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair health.” Obesity has been linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, as well as certain cancers. It can affect everything from bone health and fertility to the ability to get a good night’s sleep.
