A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reveals that the health of U.S. children has deteriorated over nearly two decades, with increasing rates of obesity, chronic diseases, and mental health problems like depression. Researchers found that kids today are more likely to have these conditions than their peers from other high-income countries.
The study analyzed various aspects of children’s physical and mental health using 170 indicators, eight data sources, and examined the same trend: a generalized decline in kids’ health over 17 years. According to Dr. Christopher Forrest, one of the authors of the study, this comprehensive picture highlights the need for policymakers to address the underlying causes of the trend.
Key findings include:
* Obesity rates among U.S. children rose from 17% in 2007-2008 to about 21% in 2021-2023.
* A U.S. child is more likely than a child in other high-income countries to have chronic conditions such as anxiety, depression, or sleep apnea.
* The prevalence of chronic conditions recorded by doctors increased from about 40% in 2011 to about 46% in 2023.
The study’s findings are concerning, and experts warn that the current policies of the Trump administration will not reverse the trend. Dr. Frederick Rivara, a pediatrician and researcher at the Seattle Children’s Hospital and UW Medicine, said that “the health of kids in America is not as good as it should be.”
The research points to broader problems with America’s health, highlighting the need for policymakers to address societal factors contributing to kids’ poor health. As Dr. Forrest notes, “kids are the canaries in the coal mine,” and when their health changes, it reflects what’s happening in society at large.
The study’s release coincides with the 2024 presidential election, making its findings particularly timely. However, experts caution that the datasets analyzed have limitations and may not be applicable to the full U.S. population.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/children-health-maha-rfk-jr-jama-d920bb5421bfdc2c83d4356986e9ade7