Obesity Rates See First Decline in 50 Years, Says HHS Secretary
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this week that, under President Donald Trump’s administration, there has been a decrease in obesity rates in the United States for the first time in half a century.
“Since President Trump took office, the obesity rate has dropped by 2.5 percent,” Kennedy stated at an event in Charlotte, marking this as the first significant decline in years.
Kennedy stressed that obesity is linked to many chronic diseases and said this decline could notably affect healthcare costs. He remarked, “Forty-eight cents of every tax dollar goes to healthcare, and roughly 90 percent of that is spent on treating chronic conditions.” This comes in stark contrast to the past, when, as he mentioned, the U.S. had the highest rates of chronic disease.
“When my uncle was president, only 3 percent of kids were classified as obese. Now it’s closer to 20 percent, and around 77 percent of our kids can’t qualify for military service due to chronic diseases, primarily obesity. This raises national security issues and is a major economic burden,” he explained.
Kennedy attributed the rising obesity rates to ultra-processed foods and misleading information on nutrition, rather than any sudden change in Americans’ behaviors. “It’s not that people suddenly became lazy. They’ve been collectively harmed by ultra-processed foods, and past dietary guidelines led us away from healthy choices,” he asserted.
He pointed out that a significant portion of American calories comes from ultra-processed foods, which can harm metabolic health. “The typical pediatrician once saw maybe one case of type 2 diabetes in a lifetime, but today, around 38 percent of American teenagers face this issue,” he noted, calling it a “terrible crisis.”
He added, “These children could end up relying on medications for their entire lives.” He also contrasted the situation in China, where, historically, diabetes was virtually nonexistent but has surged recently with the introduction of fast food and ultra-processed foods.
“You see, when they built those fast food chains, importation of American food skyrocketed. So, if you’re dealing with obesity, it isn’t solely your fault. The government has misled you for decades,” he emphasized to applause from the crowd.
This announcement from Kennedy follows the Trump administration’s introduction of a new food pyramid aimed at promoting “real food” and encouraging the intake of healthy fats, proteins, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
