Reduced intake of ultra-processed foods observed, yet remains above 50% in typical American diet
Ultra-Processed Foods Dominate American Diet, Pose Health Risks
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), a category of industrial formulations high in added sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats, are a significant part of the American diet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 55% of calories consumed by Americans aged 1 and older come from UPFs, with children consuming even higher proportions—around 62%.
These foods, which include soft drinks, packaged snacks, frozen meals, flavored yogurts, commercially produced breads, and sweetened cereals, are energy-dense, low in dietary fiber, and contain little or no whole foods. Their overconsumption is strongly linked to adverse health outcomes, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and higher all-cause mortality.
The excessive intake of UPFs is a significant driver of the chronic disease epidemic in the U.S., prompting federal initiatives aiming to reduce consumption to improve public health. UPFs not only contain unhealthy additives but also often lack beneficial nutrients like fiber, micronutrients, and phytochemicals, further impairing diet quality.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed a desire to reduce the prevalence of UPFs in the American diet. The CDC, which has been conducting a study on UPF consumption every two years since 1999-2000, but the cycle was interrupted during the pandemic, has released new data showing this trend.
The study on UPF consumption was last conducted in 2017-2018, and it showed that consumption of UPFs fell for a couple of years after 2013, then increased, and has been trending down slightly since the last survey. However, the increasing availability of UPFs has contributed to obesity rates worldwide.
The Trump administration has blamed UPFs for many chronic diseases, including diabetes. The CDC spokesperson, Brian Tsai, provided this information to NPR. It is important to note that there is currently no single authoritative or federally recognized definition of ultra-processed foods in the U.S., but federal agencies including the USDA, FDA, and HHS are actively working on establishing a uniform, clear definition to address public health concerns.
In recent coverage from NPR on the topic of curtailing the prevalence of UPFs in the American diet, it was noted that UPFs are manufactured to be cheap, convenient, and tasty, making them appealing to many consumers. However, these factors contribute to their negative health impacts. As efforts continue to define UPFs uniformly and address their health risks as part of broader nutrition policy, it is crucial for individuals to be aware of the role these foods play in their diet and make informed choices for their health.
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[2] Hall KD, Berryman SE, Chow CC, et al. Ultra-processed food consumption and the risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mortality: a prospective cohort study. BMJ 2019;365:l217. doi: 10.1136/bmj.l217
[3] US Department of Health and Human Services. 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 9th ed. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2020.
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- Efforts to improve public health in America include reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which are linked to medical-conditions like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and higher all-cause mortality.
- Fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and health-and-wellness are crucial components to counteract the negative effects of UPFs, as their overconsumption is a significant driver of chronic diseases.
- Scientific research on UPF consumption, such as studies in BMJ Open, BMJ, and Circulation, shows strong associations between excessive UPF intake and numerous medical-conditions, chronic diseases, and all-cause mortality.
