HARRISBURG — Former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stated that childhood obesity in the United States is primarily a problem of food rather than individual willpower. He indicated that highly-addictive, ultra-processed foods are responsible for this issue among children.

Ultra-processed food accounts for over 60 percent of the calories consumed by children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1970, approximately 1 in 20 children were affected by obesity; currently, this number has risen to 1 in 5 children in the United States.

Makary, who has left the FDA, called for increased transparency regarding food information. "This is not a willpower problem with our nation's kids. This is a problem with us putting highly-addictive, highly-chemicalized food in front of them," he stated. He added, "We'd like to see more information, even on the front of the package of food. We'd like to see schools buying real food instead of ultra-processed food."

Childhood obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and cancer later in life. GLP-1 weight loss drugs have not yet received approval for individuals under 12 years of age.

Some families are engaging in programs designed to address childhood obesity. Heather Wolfe and her daughter Grace are enrolled in the YMCA's "Healthy Weight and Your Child" program in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This program focuses on modifying the family's environment and habits through diet and exercise. Grace identified what she called unhealthy ingredients, stating, "Highly-hydrogenated oils, that's bad for you."

Shayla Mitchell's daughter began gaining weight during the COVID pandemic and is also participating in the YMCA's program. Mitchell said in a podcast interview regarding the challenges of moderation for her daughter: "She wants to be able to eat what her friends are eating. She wants to be able to share snacks and share lunch. We really wanted to find a program where she was going to really learn why you can have it, but in moderation." She added, "Portion control is the hardest thing, but it's one of the things that she knows is super-important. Every now and again I'll catch her grabbing a measuring cup when she's making herself cereal in the morning. She'll pour it into the measuring cup, and then pour it into her bowl."