Making America Healthy Again Starts with Our Kids: Why Nutrition Policy Needs an Overhaul

We’re facing a health crisis in America and it’s hitting our kids first. Rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, constipation, and mental health disorders in children are all rising. While headlines often blame screen time or genetics, there’s a bigger, systemic problem: our nutrition policies are outdated, under-enforced, and not designed to protect the youngest, most vulnerable members of our society.

If we want tomake America healthy again, it has to start with a radical shift in how we approach food and nutrition in early life.

The Stats: Gut and Nutrition Struggles Start Early

• Nearly1 in 5 U.S. kids is living with obesity, with significantly higher rates in Hispanic and Black communities [1].

• Constipation accounts for up to 25% of pediatric gastroenterology referrals, making it one of the most common reasons kids are seen by GI specialists [2].

• Approximately 95% of children and adults in the U.S. do not consume the recommended amount of dietary fiber, which is essential for digestion, immune function, and regularity [3].

• In a recent NHANES analysis, more than60% of toddlers exceeded the daily limit for added sugar intake, often from snacks marketed as “kid-friendly” or “natural” [4].

These trends aren’t the result of individual choices, they’re the result of structural problems in how we regulate and promote food for kids.

Nutrition Guidance Is Confusing, Inconsistent, and Poorly Enforced

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) were only recently expanded to include children under age 2, but few parents know what these guidelines are or how to follow them. Meanwhile:

• Food manufacturers can legally market ultra-processed snacks to toddlers as “healthy” or “natural,” even when loaded with added sugars and synthetic flavors.

• Programs like WIC and SNAP have limitations that make it harder for families to afford fresh produce, fiber-rich foods, or quality supplements.

Parents are doing their best, but they’re up against a food system that profits off confusion.

Gut Health Is Missing from the Conversation

Gut health is central to overall health. It impacts digestion, immunity, nutrient absorption, and even brain development. But support for the gut microbiome is largelyabsent from U.S. nutrition policy.

We now know that the early microbiome is shaped by factors like birth mode, feeding method, antibiotic exposure, and diet. Breastfeeding, fiber-rich foods, and prebiotics like HMOs are all key, but most formulas don’t contain HMOs, and many toddler diets fall short on fiber.

The result? Digestive issues like constipation are incredibly common, and long-term gut imbalances may affect immune and metabolic health later in life.

What Needs to Change

1. End deceptive marketing to parents (and kids)
   Eliminate misleading claims from foods and supplements targeted for kids and require clear labeling of synthetic ingredients.

2. Integrate gut health into pediatric guidelines
   Train pediatricians to address digestion and microbiome development using food-first strategies and nutrition-forward solutions. 

3. Expand access to real food
   Reform SNAP and WIC to prioritize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and gut-friendly fiber sources.

4. Ensure insurance coverage for evidence-based fiber solutions

Parents shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for fiber supplements that support digestive health. HSA/FSA eligibility and broader insurance coverage for evidence-backed supplements, especially those used under a pediatrician’s guidance, can ease the financial burden on families trying to address common gut issues like constipation.

Parents Need Better Tools + Education

Parents want to do what’s best, but they need support rooted in real science. That includes clearer guidelines, fewer ultra-processed distractions, and access to tools and education that helps them make more informed choices for their children. 

Summary

America’s health crisis can’t be solved in adulthood. It must begin in early childhood with stronger nutrition policies that protect and empower families. We believe with real food, clearer guidance, and targeted support for gut health, we can give every kid the chance to grow up healthy - for a healthier nation and generation ahead.