INSIDE COMPLIANCE

Today, ultra-processed foods make up approximately 60% of the average American adult diet, and 70% of American children’s diets. These highly processed diets are coupled with an increase in obesity, from approximately 15% in the 1970s to 40% today. The increase in American consumption of ultra-processed foods is a key contributor to increased obesity and related comorbidities that shorten American lives compared to other similarly situated wealthy countries. American agriculture is directly contributing to this issue through government grants, programs, and subsidies that encourage the production of crops like corn, sugar, and oilseeds that are often made into ultra-processed foods. Subsidy reforms can reduce Americans’ consumption of unhealthy, ultra-processed foods and promote healthier diets.