Poor diet, accumulation of environmental toxins, insufficient physical activity, chronic stress, and overmedicalization are the leading causes
The Human and Health Services announced the Make American Healthy Again Commission Report (MAHA Commission Unveils Landmark Report Exposing Root Causes of Childhood Chronic Disease Crisis) listed the potential causes for the health crisis affecting 40% of American children.
MAHA found “poor diet, accumulation of environmental toxins, insufficient physical activity, chronic stress, and overmedicalization” contribute to children’s poor health.
MAHA found the need for this Report is clear:
- Between 1997 and 2018, childhood food‑allergy prevalence rose 88%.
- Today in the U.S. more than 1 in 5 children over 6 years old are obese. This is a more than 270% increase compared to the 1970s.
- Prevalence of pre-diabetes in teens is more than 1 in 4 teens, having more than doubled over the last 2 decades.
- Childhood cancer incidence has risen over nearly 40% since 1975, especially in children aged 0-19.
- Autism spectrum disorder impacts 1 in 31 children by age 8.
- Teenage depression rates nearly doubled from 2009 to 2019, and with more than 1 in 4 teenage girls in 2022 reporting a major depressive episode in the past year.
- Three million high school students seriously considered suicide in 2023.
The report cited “ultra processed foods” (UPFs) as among the most likely causes of the chronic disease crisis. For example, Ultra-Processed Foods Increase Parkinson Odds.
Other problematic food ingredients include (i) engineered ultra-processed grains, sugars and fats, (ii) commonly used dye associated with behavioral problems in children, (iii) Titanium Dioxide, which could lead to DNA damage, (iv) Propylabaren, a widely used preservative thought to cause hormonal disruptions and (5) artificial sweeteners, which have been linked to obesity and metabolic issues. See Artificial Sweetener Aspartame Linked to Increase Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
The Report stated dangerous chemicals are present in items including heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics, cleaning products and cosmetics, nonstick cookware, and the water system — referring to fluoride.
The Report also stated that “misaligned” incentives have led to children being over diagnosed and put on medication when other remedies could be sought.
This Report and MAHA objectives clearly place natural living and children’s good health are the priority over Big Pharma and corporate profits!
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