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Advanced processed food manufacturers are under pressure. Because teenagers in Pennsylvania have filed lawsuits against several food giants.
Bryce Martinez, 18, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease at age 16 after eating ultra-processed foods throughout his childhood. It is fighting 11 food manufacturers accused of designing food to be addictive, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In 2021, between 5% and 10% of American children had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
Teenager sues giant ultra-processed food company after being diagnosed with fatty liver disease.
“NAFLD has become more common in children over the past few decades. This is in part because childhood obesity has become more common,” NIDDK writes on its website.
In a Sunday appearance on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” Fox News medical contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier commented that these statistics “Shocking but not surprising.”
“We have watched this trend emerge over the past decade,” she said, “and as we accept the fact that American adults are more likely to be overweight and suffer from metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes and diabetes, but now it’s making its way into our children.”
Ultra-processed foods account for 60% of America’s diet. which is most at risk
This progression “makes sense,” according to Saphier, because the children They often choose the lifestyle of their parents.
“Unfortunately, those lifestyle behaviors are harming our children,” she said.
Doctors agree that “Dangerous consumerism” markets products that can have serious health effects, as do “big tobacco,” alcohol, and some drugs.
“All of these things have addictive potential,” Saphier said. “They really eat into our natural dopamine pathways. which is the reward center in the brain.”
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“If a product is truly harmful to the consumer… does it work for the consumer or is it purely for profit?” Sapphire asks. “Because the harsh reality is that people profit from addiction.”
In the case of Bryce Martinez, Safier noted that “The marketing is very aggressive. Especially with our new generation.” But she also asked, “Where are your parents?”
“We as individuals also have to take responsibility for this,” she added.
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“Yes, there are aggressive and malicious marketing campaigns. There are disgusting chemicals in our food supply. Especially things that are accessible to low-income populations – but also as individuals. We have to be mindful of what we choose to do.”
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Fox News Digital’s Maria Lencki contributed to this report.
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