WASHINGTON—During a recent hearing titled “Better Meals, Fewer Pills: Making Our Children Healthy Again,” Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) addressed a concerning trend in the health of American children.
The hearing spotlighted the alarming increase in childhood obesity and mental health issues that have risen significantly over the past decades.
Chairman Grothman opened the discussion by stating that the overall health of American children has deteriorated, with statistics revealing that more than one in five children over six years old are now classified as obese. This marks a staggering 270 percent increase since the 1970s.
He voiced his concerns, citing alarming rates of health issues such as a doubling of pre-diabetes diagnoses over the last two decades and a near doubling of teenage depression rates since 2007.
Over three million high school students reported experiencing suicidal thoughts within the past year, showcasing the mental health crisis that is gripping the nation’s youth.
Additionally, Grothman focused on the high prescription rates of psychotropic drugs in the U.S. compared to their European counterparts, stating that American children are prescribed these medications at rates far beyond those in many other countries.
Specifically, he pointed out that approximately 15 percent of boys and eight percent of girls are diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and receive daily stimulant medications as treatment.
“We are literally giving millions of our children amphetamines and other potent stimulants,” Grothman remarked, indicating a troubling trend in the approach to managing childhood behavioral health issues.
The hearing also examined how modern childhood experiences have drastically changed, with children now spending, on average, 7.5 hours daily on screens, leading to negative implications for their mental and physical well-being.
Studies have linked increased screen time with rising rates of anxiety, depression, obesity, and sleep disruptions among children.
Moreover, Grothman highlighted that a vast majority, 77 percent, of youth aged 17-24 wouldn’t qualify for military service without a waiver due to health conditions or obesity.
He noted a striking disparity among children enrolled in Medicaid or State Children’s Health Insurance Programs, who are statistically more likely to be diagnosed with behavioral health disorders, typically coming from lower-income, single-parent households.
Despite an increase in the number of child psychiatrists in the U.S.—up over 37 percent since 2019—mental health challenges in children are still surging, exacerbated by a health care system that Grothman argues tends to overmedicalize health issues, thereby prioritizing prescriptions over holistic health solutions.
This growing concern is further compounded by dietary habits that do not meet children’s nutritional needs, as many children are consuming unhealthy, ultra-processed foods instead of nutrient-dense options like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and whole grains.
“These trends are contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic affecting an estimated 14 million U.S. children,” Grothman stated.
He also referenced a CDC study indicating that the average weight of Americans has increased by 24 pounds since 1960, underscoring the crisis.
Grothman reiterated his support for initiatives from the Trump Administration, specifically recognizing the efforts of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, who are tackling these pressing health issues head-on.
On May 22, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released a detailed 78-page report addressing these concerns. It aims to facilitate a conversation around improving the health landscape by prioritizing American farmers and shifting the healthcare system focus on prevention rather than merely managing diseases.
Grothman noted some controversy surrounding the MAHA report, stating that it has been politicized by some Democrats and media figures who likely haven’t read it, emphasizing that the report’s intent centers on radical transparency and proactive health solutions.
Quoting the report, he said, “The purpose of this report is radical transparency about our current state to spur a conversation about how we can build a world—together—where American farmers are put at the center of how we think about health.”
He concluded with an assertion that the voters had mandated a change during the last November elections, giving President Trump and the Republican majorities a clear directive to prioritize public health initiatives and improve the status quo.
“I hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle can agree that what is happening to our nation’s children is alarming to any objective observer,” Grothman stated, stressing that children’s health should transcend partisan lines.
The hearing aims to unify political efforts around addressing these escalating health issues, and the subcommittee will hear from federal experts on strategies to combat the multi-faceted threats to children’s health.
The dialogue generated by this hearing marks a pivotal moment in assessing and improving the health and well-being of America’s next generation.
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