By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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FRIDAY, May 23, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 A new White House report says today\u2019s children are the sickest generation in U.S. history when it comes to chronic disease, and it puts the blame on environmental toxins, poor nutrition and too much screen time.<\/p>\n
Called the “MAHA Report: Making Our Children Healthy Again<\/a>,” the report was released Thursday by top Trump administration officials, including U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThese preventable trends continue to worsen each year, posing a threat to our nation\u2019s health, economy, and military readiness,” it warned.<\/p>\n President Donald Trump<\/a> voiced support for the efforts during a MAHA event at the White House. MAHA is an acronym that means Make America Healthy Again.<\/p>\n \u201cUnlike other administrations, we will not be silenced or intimidated by the corporate lobbyists or special interests, and I want this group to do what they have to do,\u201d Trump said. \u201cIt won\u2019t be nice or won\u2019t be pretty, but we have to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Kennedy likened the report to a “diagnosis” of the causes of the nation’s poor health. He said a “prescription” to address them would come in August.<\/p>\n The report lists several causes for concern: Childhood obesity, mental health and overreliance on prescription drugs. It also raises doubts about the current childhood vaccine schedule and claims there is \u201climited scientific inquiry into vaccine injury and potential links to chronic disease.\u201d<\/p>\n But some scientists say the report overstates or contains misleading scientific findings, The Washington Post <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n For example, the report notes that most breast milk samples tested in the U.S. contain small amounts of persistent chemicals known as PFAS.<\/p>\n But the scientific source cited with that claim says this finding should \u201cnot indicate that adverse health effects will occur and should not be interpreted as a reason to not breastfeed.\u201d<\/p>\n At Thursday’s briefing, Kennedy claimed that prescription drugs are the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. But U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data list accidents at No. 3, including car crashes, falls and overdoses, The Post <\/em>said.<\/p>\n Gun violence, which the CDC listed as the No. 1 cause of death for children and teens in 2020 and 2021, is not mentioned in the 73-page report.<\/p>\n Nutrition and chemicals<\/strong><\/p>\n The report criticizes the rise in ultra-processed foods and promotes whole food diets. Nutrition expert Marion Nestle<\/a> praised this part of the report, calling it “a devastating portrait of what American society has done to children.\u201d<\/p>\n Kennedy, meanwhile, has long blamed pesticides, The Post<\/em> noted, for the rise in chronic illness.<\/p>\n While some parts of the report question the safety of chemicals like glyphosate<\/a> and atrazine<\/a> on human health, the report defends American farmers. Many viewed the expected attack on pesticide use as a threat to their livelihood.<\/p>\n Said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin<\/a>: “American farmers are critical partners in the success of the Make America Healthy Again agenda.”<\/p>\n Medication<\/strong><\/p>\n The report also questions the long-term use of antidepressants, weight-loss medications and other drugs in children, warning they may have lasting effects on growth and even mental health.<\/p>\n But critics say the report ignores studies showing these medications can be helpful when used correctly.<\/p>\n Obesity expert Dr. Melanie Jay<\/a> of NYU Langone Health in New York City said not treating obesity early in life can be more harmful than using approved medications, The Post<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n Vaccines<\/strong><\/p>\n The report also expresses concern about the number of vaccines given to children and whether they may be linked to chronic disease. Health secretary Kennedy is a long-time vaccine skeptic.<\/p>\n Jason Schwartz<\/a>, a vaccine expert at Yale University, said there is no strong biological evidence that vaccines could be overwhelming the immune system.<\/p>\n Screen time<\/strong><\/p>\n The report blames use of screens \u2014 from TVs and computers to cell phones, tablets and video games \u2014 for rising mental health issues in kids, The Post <\/em>said.<\/p>\n While some experts agree screen time plays a role, others say the report leans more on theory than actual science.<\/p>\n Dr. Jenny Radesky<\/a> of the American Academy of Pediatrics told The Post<\/em> the report raises valuable points about the need for good sleep but focused more on “pop theory, like a rewiring of a generation” instead of a rigorous scientific evaluation of screen time.<\/p>\n She said its focus “reflects their understanding of how worried American families are about this.”<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n Learn more about the White House’s Make America Healthy Again initiative<\/a>.<\/p>\n