7. Kids today eat more ultra-processed foods than ever
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
A new study shows kids today are eating more ultra-processed foods than ever before. Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers collected data from over 33,000 responses to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey about the foods consumed by children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19. Today, two-thirds of kids’ and teens’ calories come from ultra-processed foods. These foods have been linked in numerous studies to many chronic diseases, such as heart disease. They can take years off your life. We all need to tackle this health problem for our kids. Parents, do your best to feed your children whole, nutritious foods at home. And schools and healthcare providers should promote healthy food choices as well.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
