RFK Jr. singles out 4 potential causes of childhood chronic disease in newly released report

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. singled out four potential causes of childhood chronic disease in a report released Thursday — the first step in the Trump administration’s bid to reverse what it calls a health “crisis” impacting 40% of America’s kids.

The report identified poor diet, environmental chemicals, lack of physical activity and chronic stress, and overmedicalization as likely responsible for persistent maladies — including obesity, autism, cancer, mental health issues and allergies — warning: “The health of American children is in crisis.”

Poor diet

The report cites “ultra processed foods” (UPFs) as a potential cause of the chronic disease crisis.

Kennedy Jr.’s report listed poor diet, environmental chemicals, lack of physical activity and chronic stress, and overmedicalization as likely being responsible for persistent maladies in children. Getty Images

While they may have been created with a good purpose in mind, the commission writes, but now 70% of the diets of American children are made up of high-caloric, low-nutrient foods.

The problematic ingredients, per the report, are engineered ultra-processed grains, sugars and fats, which largely didn’t exist a century ago.

UPFs make up 50% of Americans’ diets, the report states, while making up just 10% to 31% of the intake in countries like Portugal, Italy and France.

Chemicals in the environment

The report also cites chemicals in the environment as potential causes of chronic disease, especially in children who are deemed more susceptible and could be impacted in-utero.

Dangerous chemicals include heavy metals, pesticides, indoor air pollutants, consumer products, microplastics, chemicals found in cleaning products and cosmetics, lead, mercury and electromagnetic radiation from technology, like mobile phones and laptops.

Decline in exercise

Children being more sedentary in the digital age also could lead to chronic disease  through lack of exercise and limited time outside, the report found.

Children are less likely to play outside, ride their bike to school, play games at recess and exercise in general, choosing to spend time on the internet instead.

Supporters of the Make America Healthy Again movement attend a news conference on removing synthetic dyes from America’s food supply, in Washington, DC on April 22, 2025. Nathan Posner/Shutterstock

The higher access to screens — with nearly 50% of teens reporting that they are constantly online — also contributes to mental health issues as well as loneliness, lack of sleep and chronic stress.

Overmedicalization

One in five US children are reported to take prescription medications, including for ADHD, antidepressants, antibiotics and more.

The report states that there have not been studies looking into the effects of overtreatment, but still notes it as a possible cause.