Letter to Sen. Sanders in Support of the Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act

April 12, 2024

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The Honorable Bernie Sanders, Chair
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Sanders,

We are pleased to endorse the Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act of 2024, which would greatly improve children’s health by conducting research and providing the public with information about the risks of foods that contribute to diabetes and other serious health problems.

Americans consume many foods and beverages with limited nutritional value, or with nutritional benefits that are undermined by other ingredients. In this letter, we will focus on the important provisions regarding ultra-processed foods.

We strongly support the provision that directs the NIH to further investigate the impact of ultra-processed foods on the health of children and adults. We are concerned that approximately two-thirds of the caloric intake of Americans consist of these ultra-processed, or highly altered, foods containing many additives such as sugars, saturated fats, sodium, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives.¹ Previous research indicating that these foods can be very addictive to children and adults is of particular concern.² Additional funding is essential to better understand the biological mechanisms that lead to overconsumption of ultra-processed foods that may cause poor health.¹ Studies of more than 9 million people followed for several years found that those who consume more ultra-processed foods are approximately 66% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease, 21% more likely to die of any cause, and more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, obesity, anxiety, depression, and other common mental disorders.³

The definition of ultra-processed foods has been the subject of some debate and confusion,³ so we fully support this bill’s effort to establish a clear definition, since that would be beneficial to consumers and help ensure that future research provides the information that health professionals and consumers need to make healthy choices.

In conclusion, this bill takes important steps to adequately inform consumers about the known risks of foods marketed to children and often consumed by all family members.

Sincerely,

Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D.

President

 

[1] Tobias, D. K., & Hall, K. D. (2021). Eliminate or reformulate ultra-processed foods? Biological mechanisms matter. Cell metabolism, 33(12), 2314–2315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2021.10.005

[2] Gearhardt, A. N., Bueno, N. B., DiFeliceantonio, A. G., Roberto, C. A., Jiménez-Murcia, S., & Fernandez-Aranda, F. (2023). Social, clinical, and policy implications of ultra-processed food addiction. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 383, e075354. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-075354

[3] Lane, M. M., Gamage, E., Du, S., Ashtree, D. N., McGuinness, A. J., Gauci, S., Baker, P., Lawrence, M., Rebholz, C. M., Srour, B., Touvier, M., Jacka, F. N., O’Neil, A., Segasby, T., & Marx, W. (2024). Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 384, e077310. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-077310

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