• Over 55% of total calories in the U.S. come from ultra-processed foods.
• Children consume a higher percentage, averaging 61.9% from processed sources.
• Income levels influence consumption patterns of ultra-processed foods.
• Despite high consumption rates, there has been a slight decline since previous years.
• Health officials emphasize urgent needs for dietary reform amid rising chronic diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that more than 55% of calories consumed by Americans, ages 1 and older, come from ultra-processed foods, according to findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between August 2021 and August 2023. This figure rises to 61.9% for children aged 18 and younger, compared to 53% for adults over 19, indicating a concerning prevalence of unhealthy dietary choices among youth, according to ABC News, CBS News, and Al Jazeera.

The report emphasizes that ultra-processed foods, characterized as energy-dense and low in fiber, contribute significantly to chronic health conditions such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. High-calorie foods identified include sandwiches, burgers, sweet bakery products, and sugary drinks which are highly prevalent among both youth and adults, impacting their overall health, according to ABC News and CBS News.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" campaign seeks to address these alarming consumption statistics. Kennedy has openly criticized ultra-processed foods, calling them contributors to a variety of health issues. "Genes don’t cause epidemics. They may provide a vulnerability, but you need an environmental toxin," he stated, referring to the high sugar content in processed foods as a critical factor in disease prevalence, according to Al Jazeera.

The impact of socioeconomic status on dietary habits was also highlighted in the report, showing that low-income adults are more likely to consume ultra-processed foods compared to those with higher incomes. Specifically, adults earning just above the federal poverty level consumed an average of 54.7% ultra-processed foods, which underscores food accessibility issues affecting dietary choices, according to ABC News and CBS News.

Interestingly, despite the high levels of consumption, the data shows a gradual decline in the average calorie intake from ultra-processed foods compared to previous years, indicating some positive trends in dietary shifts. For adults, the average percentage of calories consumed from these foods decreased from 55.8% in 2013 to 53% in the latest survey period. Health experts, however, emphasize the need for ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on these foods to improve health nationwide, as stated by various sources including ABC News, CBS News, and Al Jazeera.