In August, we expect to receive the prescription for the unfavorable outcomes underscored in the recent Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report centered on children’s health. As a pediatric specialist, I suggest solutions for the child nutrition challenges identified in the report and provide insights on other health issues it raises.
The report initially examines chronic disease prevalence in children, linking obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and cancer to ultra-processed foods, sugar, saturated fats, and chemical additives. Solutions are vital for children in the U.S., where 16 percent are overweight, 19 percent are obese, and 6 percent are severely obese, as reported by the NIH.
Saturated fat stands out as a significant issue. I regularly counsel parents and young patients on decreasing consumption; dairy products are the leading source in children’s diets. Schools have stopped offering full-fat dairy milk for over 13 years due to health concerns.
Children can fulfill their calcium requirements through alternatives like collard greens, calcium-fortified plant-based milks and juices, tofu, soy yogurt, cooked kale, almond butter, cooked broccoli, and other healthier selections.
Research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition associates a diet high in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains with reduced body weight in children, which correlates with a lower risk of chronic diseases. Extensive research indicates that healthful, plant-based diets can prevent, enhance, and even reverse type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association supports a plant-based dietary approach.
The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children study establishes a robust link between diet quality and cardiovascular health in school-aged children. A high intake of plant-based fats, ample fiber, and reduced added sugars diminishes the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
A Cleveland Clinic study demonstrates that a low-fat, plant-based diet decreases heart disease risk by enhancing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, crucial since some children show signs of heart disease by age eight. Half of U.S. children and adolescents fall short of ideal cholesterol levels, with 25 percent having clinically elevated levels.
While the MAHA report points out ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as harmful to children’s health, some are linked to health improvements. Recent findings reveal that transitioning to a plant-based diet, even including ultra-processed items, leads to weight loss and health benefits, although whole foods are preferable.
For enhanced child health, researchers should take into account studies indicating that the most nutritious foods for children—beans, legumes, nuts, leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits—are equally advantageous for adults. This guidance should be incorporated in the forthcoming report.
In the meantime, I encourage my fellow physicians to prescribe these foods to young patients. Nutrition is an indispensable weapon against chronic disease, crucial for securing a healthier future for America’s children.
Joseph Barrocas is a pediatrician and internal medicine physician.