A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that ultra-processed foods account for the majority of calories consumed by children and teens in the United States, highlighting growing concerns over the nation’s dietary health.
According to data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, 62% of daily calories for children and adolescents come from ultra-processed foods. Adults aren’t far behind, with these foods making up 53% of their total calorie intake. The analysis, released Thursday, is the CDC’s first comprehensive estimate of ultra-processed food consumption in the U.S.
The findings arrive amid increasing scrutiny from federal agencies. In May, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. flagged ultra-processed foods as a major contributor to the surge in chronic childhood illnesses.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently began steps to formally define “ultra-processed foods”—a move that experts say could pave the way for future regulation, including restrictions on what qualifies for food assistance programs.
Diets rich in ultra-processed foods have been linked to serious health concerns, such as depression, Type 2 diabetes, and premature death. While past administrations have tried to address these concerns—primarily through labeling specific ingredients like trans fats and added sugars—the focus has rarely shifted toward regulating entire food categories based on their processing levels.
In January, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed new front-of-package labels warning consumers about high levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
The CDC’s report draws on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between August 2021 and August 2023. Lead author Anne Williams explained that the study classified ultra-processed foods using the NOVA system—a widely used framework developed in Brazil. The system defines ultra-processed products as industrially formulated foods that contain minimal or no whole ingredients.
Williams noted that the leading sources of ultra-processed foods were sandwiches (including burgers and hot dogs), followed by baked goods, salty snacks, and sugary drinks.
Socioeconomic factors also play a role: the report found that adults with higher incomes typically consume fewer ultra-processed foods. Encouragingly, the overall intake of ultra-processed foods has seen a slight decline over time, with children and adults both reducing consumption marginally since 2017. Among adults, this trend dates back to 2013. Still, Williams emphasized that the decrease amounts to a mere 56 calories over a decade.
Nutrition expert Marion Nestle, professor emerita at New York University, said the report reflects what researchers have long observed. She added that parents often choose ultra-processed items because of their convenience, especially for school lunches. However, heavy marketing plays a significant role in shaping children’s eating habits.
“These are the most profitable items in supermarkets, aggressively marketed to kids as desirable and cool,” Nestle said. “Children are essentially trained to prefer them.”
The term “ultra-processed food” was coined around 2009, mainly for academic research. Susan Mayne, former director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, explained that while many ultra-processed foods are associated with health risks, not all are harmful. Some—like whole grain cereals and certain yogurts—are linked to health benefits, such as reduced risk of colorectal cancer.
Mayne also acknowledged limitations of the NOVA system, noting it does not directly quantify processing but uses additives and ingredients as indirect indicators. She said the FDA is working toward a formal definition of ultra-processed foods but emphasized the importance of validating any new definition through research.
HHS has not announced a timeline for finalizing its definition.
Nestle stressed the need for the next administration to confront food marketing head-on.
“These products are convenient, and kids consume them because they’ve been conditioned to,” she said.
READ MORE
Health is Primary Diet Driver, While Gen Alpha Young Men Say ‘Meat is Cool’
FDA Approves New Eye Drops to Help Adults See Up Close Better
Study of ‘SuperAgers’ Offers New Insights Into Memory and Brain Health
