At a hearing of the Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) addressed concerns about the declining health of American children. The session, titled “Better Meals, Fewer Pills: Making Our Children Healthy Again,” focused on rising rates of chronic disease, unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, and increased use of medication among youth.
Grothman noted that more than one in five American children over six years old are obese, representing a 270 percent increase since the 1970s. He also cited data showing that pre-diabetes diagnoses have more than doubled in the past two decades and teenage depression rates have nearly doubled since 2007. Approximately three million high school students reported suicidal thoughts in the past year.
He raised concerns about the higher rate at which U.S. youth are prescribed psychotropic drugs compared to their European counterparts. According to Grothman, “Fifteen percent of American boys and eight percent of American girls have been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, and are prescribed daily stimulant pills as treatment.” He added: “We are literally giving millions of our children amphetamines and other potent stimulants.”
Grothman highlighted changes in childhood habits, referencing an American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry finding that children spend an average of 7.5 hours per day looking at screens. He said numerous studies link increased screen time to anxiety, depression, obesity, and sleep problems.
Seventy-seven percent of youth between ages 17-24 would not qualify for military service without a waiver due to obesity or other health conditions. Grothman pointed out that children enrolled in Medicaid or State Children’s Health Insurance Programs are more likely to be diagnosed with behavioral health disorders.
He observed: “Our children are struggling with their mental and physical health, all while being overmedicalized by a health care system that does not hesitate to prescribe more pills.”
Grothman also criticized dietary trends among young people: “On top of that, too many children are not eating the nutrient-dense foods they need for healthy growth and development.” He called for encouragement of fruits and vegetables as well as dairy and whole grains instead of ultra-processed foods like soda and candy.
He connected these issues to political influence: “Instead, children are increasingly being fed ultra-processed foods such as soda, candy, and chips, the makers of which lavish campaign contributions to politicians.”
Citing Centers for Disease Control research showing Americans’ average weight has increased by 24 pounds since 1960, Grothman praised recent efforts by federal officials: “So I’m glad that the Trump Administration, through HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins are working hard to bring attention to and solve this crisis.”
He referenced a May report from the Make America Healthy Again Commission addressing these topics. Quoting from it 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
The American healthcare system thrives when disease is prevented and reversed, not just ‘managed’ in a sick-care system.”
Grothman continued: “Sounds like common sense to me that will greatly improve the health and happiness of our young people. I’m glad Secretary Kennedy is a disruptive force.”
He argued there is broad concern among constituents regarding child health trends: “Our constituents know that something is deeply wrong with the status quo when it comes to health.”
Referencing recent election results he stated: “Last November the voters decisively gave President Trump, and Republican majorities in both houses of Congress, a clear mandate to deliver meaningful change and ‘Make America Healthy Again.’”
Grothman called for bipartisan cooperation on child health policy: “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. Our children’s health is not and should not be partisan.”
Two federal experts were scheduled to testify at the hearing regarding threats facing children’s health.
James Comer currently serves in Congress representing Kentucky’s 1st district after replacing Ed Whitfield in 2016 (https://comer.house.gov/about). Comer has served continuously since then; prior experience includes serving in Kentucky’s House from 2001–2012 (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C001108). Born in Carthage, Tennessee in 1972—and now living in Tompkinsville—Comer graduated from Western Kentucky University with a BS degree.
