MAHA Releases Plan to Improve Children’s Health as Global Child Obesity Rates Increase

The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) Commission released its “Make Our Children Healthy Again” strategy report on Tuesday with initiatives to improve US children’s health. 

The Details: The report outlines four key areas MAHA says is leading to chronic childhood disease: poor diet, chemical exposure, lack of physical activity and chronic stress, and overmedicalization. It then lists 128 initiatives to advance research in areas like autism, water and air quality, vaccine injury, nutrition, and mental health and addiction; reform policies targeting food dyes, ultra-processed foods, and fitness; and increase public awareness to “encourage healthier lifestyles in American families.”

UNICEF Childhood Obesity Report: Also on Tuesday, UNICEF reported that, for the first time, global childhood obesity rates have surpassed the number of underweight children, with about 1 in 10—or 188 million—school-aged children and adolescents classified as obese. The United Nations reported that since 2000, the share of underweight children and adolescents (ages 5–19) has declined from nearly 13% to 9.2%, while obesity has risen from 3% to 9.4%. By 2025, obesity rates surpass underweight in every region except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

For Context: In February, President Donald Trump created the “Make America Healthy Again” Commission to address what the administration says is a “growing health crisis” impacting the country, especially children. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.--chairman of the MAHA Commission–has faced criticism over his vaccine stances, and actions as HHS Secretary, including firing all members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in June. 

How the Media Covered It: Outlets on the Left and Center highlighted criticism from health experts who said the report contradicts recent actions by the Trump administration to cut food assistance programs, Medicaid programs, scientific research, and change vaccine policies. NPR (Lean Left bias) quoted several public health researchers who agreed with issues listed in the report, but cast concerns about the lack of definitions and tangible actions to achieve its goals. Coverage by CNN (Lean Left) contrasted the MAHA report with studies and health professionals suggesting Kennedy overlooked key drivers of childhood health problems—such as added sugars and lead in drinking water—as well as recommendations from food agencies that his report did not address. It also listed the number one cause of childhood death as gun violence. The Hill (Center) focused its coverage on Kennedy’s vaccine policies, and history of vaccine skepticism. The New York Post (Lean Right) emphasized the impact of screen time on children’s health. It also mentioned MAHA’s goal to partner with the Food and Drug Administration to address “unregulated” vapes that “Chinese suppliers have flooded the market with,” and changes to baby formula.

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