Ultra-Processed Foods Make Up the Majority of Kids' Diets, CDC Report Finds

Unlike minimally processed or whole foods, UPFs often have low nutritional value, are calorie-dense, and are designed to be hyper-palatable, encouraging overconsumption.

Key Findings from the CDC Report

According to the CDC’s most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), more than 67% of calories consumed by children aged 2 to 19 come from ultra-processed foods. This figure has climbed steadily over the past two decades.

Other alarming statistics from the report include:

• 9 out of 10 children consume more than the recommended daily intake of added sugars, most of which come from UPFs.

• Sodium intake among children remains well above recommended levels, driven by processed snacks, pizza, and fast food.

• Low intake of fiber, potassium, and healthy fats—nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains—continues to be a nationwide concern.

The Appeal: Why Kids Eat So Many Ultra-Processed Foods

1. Convenience

Busy parents and guardians often rely on pre-packaged foods that require minimal preparation. UPFs are portable, affordable, and widely available in schools, stores, and vending machines.

2. Aggressive Marketing

Children are frequently exposed to advertisements for sugary cereals, fast food, and packaged snacks. Bright colors, cartoon characters, and toys included with meals are all tailored to attract young consumers.

3. Flavor Engineering

UPFs are scientifically engineered to be hyper-palatable—often high in sugar, fat, and salt—which makes them more appealing than natural whole foods. .

4. Peer Influence

From birthday parties to school lunches, UPFs are often the default. Children are more likely to consume what their friends are eating, and these processed options dominate social gatherings.

5. Food Deserts and Economic Factors

Families living in underserved communities may lack access to affordable fresh produce. In some areas, fast food restaurants are more common than grocery stores, making UPFs a default option.

Health Implications for Children

Numerous studies link the consumption of ultra-processed foods to a host of physical and mental health issues in children. These effects are not just long-term; many are already visible in current pediatric populations.

1. Obesity

The most immediate and visible consequence is rising childhood obesity rates. UPFs are calorie-dense but nutrient-poor, leading to weight gain without fulfilling nutritional needs.

2. Type 2 Diabetes

Poor diet quality contributes to insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes—once rare in children, but now increasingly common.

3. High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

Processed meats, salty snacks, and fast food raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels, setting the stage for cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

4. Dental Problems

High-sugar diets are directly linked to tooth decay, which remains one of the most common chronic conditions in children.

5. Mental Health Concerns

Emerging research suggests links between ultra-processed diets and conditions like anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders such as ADHD.

6. Gut Microbiome Disruption

Additives and artificial sweeteners in UPFs may negatively impact the gut microbiome, which plays a role in immunity, digestion, and mood regulation.

                                                                              See more

School Meals: A Mixed Bag

School lunches have been a battleground for nutrition advocacy. While improvements have been made through initiatives like the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, many meals still contain ultra-processed elements like pizza, chicken patties, and flavored milk.

Challenges schools face include:

• Limited budgets for fresh produce and whole foods

• Supplier contracts with processed food manufacturers

• Student food preferences shaped by UPF-heavy diets at home

Food Industry Influence

The food and beverage industry exerts significant influence on dietary patterns through product placement, advertising, and lobbying. Millions are spent annually to market UPFs to children—more than any other demographic.

In 2024 alone, the industry spent over $1.8 billion marketing unhealthy food products to youth. Meanwhile, ads for fresh fruits and vegetables were almost nonexistent.

Are All Processed Foods Bad?

It's important to distinguish between processed and ultra-processed foods. Some level of processing is necessary to make foods safe or convenient (e.g., pasteurized milk, frozen vegetables, or canned beans). These can still be part of a healthy diet.

The concern lies with foods that are highly engineered and stripped of nutritional value—those that fall into the “ultra-processed” category. These dominate the shelves and constitute the bulk of what children are consuming.

How Parents and Caregivers Can Make a Difference

1. Lead by Example

Children are more likely to adopt healthy habits when they see them modeled by their caregivers. Prioritize balanced meals, home-cooked when possible, and include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

2. Read Ingredient Labels

Avoid products with long ingredient lists that include things like high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and artificial additives.

3. Limit Sugary Drinks

Encourage water, milk, or unsweetened alternatives instead of soda and sports drinks.

4. Pack Healthier Lunches

Opt for whole grain sandwiches, cut-up fruits, yogurt, or hummus with vegetables instead of chips and snack cakes.

5. Cook Together

Get kids involved in the kitchen. It not only teaches valuable life skills but makes them more interested in trying healthy foods.

6. Set Limits on Screen Time

Reducing screen time can cut exposure to junk food ads and reduce mindless snacking.

The Role of Policy and Public Health Interventions

1. Stronger School Meal Standards

The USDA can further revise guidelines to reduce sodium and added sugars in school meals and incentivize the use of whole foods.

2. Marketing Restrictions

Several countries have banned junk food ads targeting children. 

3. Nutrition Education

Implement comprehensive food literacy programs in schools to teach kids about reading labels, understanding ingredients, and making healthier choices.

4. Taxes on Sugary Drinks and UPFs

Cities that have implemented soda taxes have seen declines in consumption. A broader tax on ultra-processed foods could reduce intake and generate revenue for health programs.

5. Improved Access to Healthy Foods

Policies that support urban farming, mobile produce markets, and subsidies for fruits and vegetables can help ensure healthier food access in low-income areas.

                                                                             Watch more

The Global Picture

The rise of UPF consumption is not just an American problem. Countries worldwide, especially in urbanized regions of Latin America, Asia, and Africa, are seeing similar dietary shifts. As Western food companies expand, the availability and marketing of UPFs grow, sometimes displacing traditional diets rich in whole grains, legumes, and vegetables.

Moving Forward: A Cultural Shift Is Needed

Reversing the dominance of ultra-processed foods in children's diets will require more than individual choices. It demands a collective cultural shift—a revaluing of real food, communal eating, and long-term health over short-term convenience.

Healthier diets don’t mean eliminating all processed foods, but they do mean rebalancing the plate. Whole fruits over fruit snacks, water over soda, and home-cooked meals over takeout should become the norm, not the exception.

Final Thoughts

The CDC’s report is a wake-up call. The fact that ultra-processed foods dominate children’s diets is not merely a statistic—it’s a red flag for the future of public health.

Changing course will require action at every level—from parents and schools to lawmakers and food producers. But the benefits are profound: lower rates of chronic disease, improved academic performance, better mental health, and a generation of kids who grow up understanding and valuing the power of real, nourishing food.

It’s time to return to the basics. Real food. Real health. Real futures.