Diabetes Epidemic Among US Teens: Kennedy Jr. Sounds Alarm

The United States is facing a youth diabetes crisis, according to former Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In a recent video, Kennedy stated that "Today, 38% of teenagers are diabetic or prediabetic." This represents a dramatic increase from previous decades, where a pediatrician might encounter only one case of juvenile diabetes in their entire career. The cost of this epidemic is staggering, with Kennedy estimating it costs the US "a trillion dollars a year." The surge in diabetes is also affecting military recruitment, with Kennedy noting that 75% of American children are ineligible for service due to health issues. The video visually links the rise in diabetes to the consumption of processed foods, suggesting a correlation between diet and the health crisis. While the video's claims require further verification from independent sources, the alarming statistics and Kennedy's prominence highlight a significant public health concern.