At a hearing held by the Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) addressed concerns about the declining health of American children. The session, titled “Better Meals, Fewer Pills: Making Our Children Healthy Again,” focused on rising rates of chronic disease among youth and the impact of unhealthy diets and limited physical activity.
Grothman highlighted several troubling trends in his opening remarks. He noted that more than one in five American children over six years old are obese, marking a 270 percent increase since the 1970s. Pre-diabetes diagnoses have more than doubled for young people over the past two decades. Teenage depression rates have nearly doubled since 2007, and approximately three million high school students reported suicidal thoughts in the past year.
He also pointed out that U.S. youth are prescribed psychotropic drugs at much higher rates than their European counterparts. According to Grothman, “Fifteen percent of American boys and eight percent of American girls have been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, and are prescribed daily stimulant pills as treatment.” He added, “We are literally giving millions of our children amphetamines and other potent stimulants.”
The chairman discussed lifestyle changes affecting children’s health. Citing data from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, he said American children spend an average of 7.5 hours per day looking at screens. Studies have linked increased screen time to anxiety, depression, obesity, and sleep problems.
Grothman stated that seventy-seven percent of youth between ages 17-24 would not qualify for military service without a waiver due to obesity or other health conditions. He also noted disparities among children enrolled in Medicaid or state insurance programs: “Children enrolled in Medicaid or their State’s Children Health Insurance Program are more likely to be diagnosed with a behavioral health disorder.” He observed that these cases often involve single-parent households because lower income is required for Medicaid eligibility.
According to Grothman, “Our children are struggling with their mental and physical health, all while being overmedicalized by a health care system that does not hesitate to prescribe more pills.” He called attention to poor nutrition among young people: “On top of that, too many children are not eating the nutrient-dense foods they need for healthy growth and development.”
The chairman urged Congress to support policies promoting healthier food choices such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, whole grains, and enriched grains instead of ultra-processed foods like soda and candy.
He referenced recent government efforts led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins under the Trump Administration to address this crisis. On May 22nd this year, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released a report covering these issues.
Grothman read from the report: “‘The purpose of this report is radical transparency about our current state to spur a conversation about how we can build a world – together – where: American farmers are put at the center of how we think about health; The American healthcare system thrives when disease is prevented and reversed, not just ‘managed’ in a sick-care system.’”
He continued: “Sounds like common sense to me that will greatly improve the health and happiness of our young people. I’m glad Secretary Kennedy is a disruptive force.”
Grothman concluded by emphasizing bipartisan concern for children's well-being: “I hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle can agree that what is happening to our nation’s children is alarming to any objective observer. Our children’s health is not and should not be partisan.”
James Comer currently serves in Congress representing Kentucky's 1st district after replacing Ed Whitfield in 2016 (https://comer.house.gov/about). Comer has served since 2016 following previous service in Kentucky's House from 2001-2012 (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C001108). Born in Carthage, Tennessee in 1972, Comer now lives in Tompkinsville (https://www.rollcall.com/2023/01/03/kentuckys-comer-has-farm-roots-and-political-savvy/). He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a BS degree in 1993.
The hearing included testimony from federal experts working on children's health issues.
