The Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services convened a hearing titled “Better Meals, Fewer Pills: Making Our Children Healthy Again,” focusing on the impact of unhealthy diets and overprescription of medications among American children. The session addressed how poor nutrition and sedentary lifestyles are contributing to increased rates of chronic disease in youth.
Dr. Dorothy Fink, Acting Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, stated, “As children grow, they are exposed to unprecedented levels of processed foods that are high in sugar and chemical additives. The results are devastating. Approximately 32 percent of adolescents in the U.S. have prediabetes, and furthermore, 36 percent of children and adolescents have excess weight. Furthermore, American girls are reaching puberty earlier and boys are experiencing declining testosterone levels and reduced sperm counts compared with previous generations. These trends may be linked to diet, obesity, and environmental exposures, and they demand immediate investigation.”
Dr. Eve Stoody from the U.S. Department of Agriculture noted the quality of American children's diets is low: “Unfortunately, the state of the American diet is poor. This poor diet has resulted in worsening health outcomes among children and adolescents, which have contributed to increased rates of chronic disease. The Healthy Eating Index, or HEI, is an analytic tool that has been developed by USDA and HHS that measures the quality of the overall diet. HEI scores can range from 0 to 100, with a score of 100 indicating alignment with a healthy diet. The average HEI score for children and adolescents two to 18 years of age is a 54 out of 100. Among the top sources of calories in the American diet are desserts and sweet snacks, sugar sweetened beverages, and chips and savory snacks. These foods illustrate that the American diet is high in added sugars and refined grains. Regarding added sugars, Americans consume about 270 calories, and that comes to about 17 teaspoons of added sugars a day, and intakes can vary substantially.”
The hearing also discussed concerns about overdiagnosis in pediatric medicine.
Dr. Fink commented on mental health treatment trends: “The mental health crisis among adolescents has led to increasing use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, despite the [Food and Drug Administration]’s 2004 black box warning noting an elevated risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young people. While these medications have benefits, they must be paired with careful monitoring and expanded access to nonpharmacologic interventions and adolescents that address the underlying causes of depression and anxiety. Today we stand at a crossroads. The chronic disease epidemic in our children is the defining public health crisis of our time.”
Members raised questions regarding both food choices available to families as well as medication practices.
Subcommittee Chairman Glenn Grothman asked if lack of calories was central to dietary problems.
“It is multifactorial most definitely," Dr. Fink responded." And so food plays a huge role in our health... we are currently working on dietary guidelines... so that every American family across America knows the best foods... they can take steps to reverse their chronic diseases.”
Grothman also questioned increases in pharmaceuticals prescribed for youth.
“Thank you Congressman for your question," Dr Fink said." Absolutely... Our children’s youth are now more than ever receiving way too many medications instead of focusing on lifestyle changes first... We need to look at treatment regimens ... really need to work with our families ...to think about what are root causes."
Rep Pete Sessions explored ultra-processed foods:
“What are some examples... Is it something that a family does? Is it taught in schools? What is ultra-processed food?”
Dr Stoody replied: “Ultra processed foods is really a topic that's grown ...in discussions I would say in last decade... One prime definition ...came from Brazil ...called NOVA.... There has been discussion that some definitions are really broad ...including things like whole grain products like yogurt like bag salads or canned vegetables... there’s questions like ‘should those be included?’”
Rep John McGuire asked about sedentary lifestyles' effects:
“Our children are not as healthy as they once were or should be.... Dr Fink does living a sedentary lifestyle contribute…?”
“Yes,” Dr Fink answered.
He followed up: “How does sedentary lifestyle impact mental health?”
“There are so many factors..." Dr Fink said." When our children's youth are tied to screen all day long … not being active … build up fat … start making extra hormones … metabolic impacts … including developing brain… want considerations for how we get kids active… bringing back presidential fitness test… challenging families…”
McGuire also cited research showing an estimated 70% percent of American diets come from ultra-processed sources.
Dr Stoody responded: "It's really around over consumption… studies suggesting overconsumption ...associated with higher body weight increased risk factors associated with disease… could be high added sugars fats sodium low fiber displacing healthy foods… probably many different things but we do see relationship between overconsumption & risk including childhood."
Congressional members discussed advancing President Trump’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative as one approach toward addressing these issues.
James Comer currently serves as U.S Representative for Kentucky's 1st district after replacing Ed Whitfield in 2016 (https://comer.house.gov/about). Comer previously served in Kentucky's House from 2001–2012 (https://comer.house.gov/about/full-biography). Born in Carthage Tennessee in 1972 he resides today in Tompkinsville (https://comer.house.gov/about/full-biography). He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a BS degree.
