Why the US is calling its children the ‘sickest generation'
Cakes, cookies, refined breads, candy — junk food that we all crave from time to time, have now become one of the top concerns in the United States. Bad food habits are hampering physical and mental fitness amongst children in the US. Besides, there are other dangerous trends too.Today's children are the sickest generation in American history in terms of chronic diseases. And these preventable trends continue to worsen each year, posing a threat to our nation's health, economy, and military readiness, a US government report called Make America Healthy Again noted.advertisementThe consumption trend of ultra-processed food has always been high in the US. But it has shot up in recent years. And the consequences are visible. Over 40 per cent of American children have at least one chronic health condition, such as asthma, obesity, etc. Over 75 per cent are ineligible for military service due to poor fitness. And over 25 per cent suffer from allergies, including seasonal allergies, eczema, and food allergies.
There has also been a two-fold rise in the teenage depression rates between 2009 and 2019. Reportedly, 30 lakh high school students in the US seriously considered suicide in 2023. Obesity, a widely talked-about subject in the US, has been on a significant rise as well. More than one in five children aged six and above are obese, a 270 per cent rise from the 1970s level.AUTISM, CANCER ON THE RISEadvertisementThe prevalence of autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disability, has grown from 6.7 per thousand in the year 2000 to a massive 32.2 per thousand in 2022. In the same period, the rate of new cases of cancer among the age group of 15–39 years surged from 64.2 per lakh to 74.6 per lakh.HIGH COST, LOW LIFE EXPECTANCYThe MAHA report underlined that despite outspending peer nations by more than double per capita on healthcare, the United States ranks last in life expectancy among high-income countries and suffers higher rates of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.With the highest per capita health expenditure of $10,827, the US has a life expectancy of 79.3 years. In contrast, the UK has a life expectancy of 81.3 years with a per capita health expenditure of $4,444."Ultra-processed foods, high in calories but low in essential nutrients, contribute to a dual burden of malnutrition: obesity and micronutrient deficiencies. Obesity triggers chronic inflammation, exacerbating iron deficiency, which impairs cognitive function and immune health," said a report by the Compass Group, which operates across 30 countries and serves 5.5 billion meals per year globally.To counter the problem, it suggests revamping school meals and menus, increasing nutrition education and awareness, policy-level interventions, and physical and mental health integration.Tune InMust Watch
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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
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Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Expert warns China could be plotting something worse than COVID after bioterror suspects arrested
Chinese bioterror suspects arrested in Michigan spark fears of 'something worse' than COVID, expert warns- Two Chinese nationals arrested in Michigan this week have ignited serious national security concerns, with experts warning that the communist regime may be preparing an even more dangerous bioterror attack than COVID-19. The suspects — Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34 — allegedly smuggled a deadly crop fungus into the United States over two years while conducting research at the University of Michigan, partially funded by the People's Republic of China. Attorney and China expert Gordon Chang says this could be the latest move in a long-term Chinese infiltration plan that threatens both American agriculture and national stability. Chang told Fox News Digital, 'The only way to stop this is to sever relations with China. I know that sounds drastic, but we are going to get hit hard — maybe with something worse than COVID, maybe worse than fentanyl.' Why is Fusarium graminearum being called a bioterror weapon? The biological agent at the center of the case is Fusarium graminearum, a toxic fungus known to cause "head blight" — a disease that devastates crops like wheat, barley, maize, and rice. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, this pathogen causes billions of dollars in agricultural losses globally each year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo But the threat goes beyond crops. The fungus produces toxins that are harmful to humans and livestock, leading to vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects. That's what makes this smuggling case not just an agricultural concern but a potential bioterrorism threat. 'This couple should be sent to Guantánamo,' Chang said. 'This was an attack on the United States, and we're not treating it that way.' Live Events Are Chinese research ties with U.S. universities a national security risk? The suspect Yunqing Jian was working as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan. Her work, in part, was funded by China, raising deeper questions about how China's Communist Party may be using American universities to advance covert biological programs. This is not the first incident. In recent years, multiple Chinese nationals studying in the U.S. have been arrested in connection with espionage, smuggling, and surveillance. In 2020, two Chinese graduate students from the University of Michigan were caught illegally entering a Naval air station in Key West, Florida, and taking photos of defense infrastructure. In 2021, Harvard professor Charles Lieber was convicted for hiding his ties to China's Thousand Talents Program, which incentivizes foreign scientists to leak sensitive technology. In 2022, Ji Chaoqun, a Chinese national at the Illinois Institute of Technology, was convicted of espionage and sentenced to 8 years in prison. In 2024, five Chinese students were charged for photographing military drills at Camp Grayling, a National Guard training site in Michigan, under a joint program with Shanghai's Jiao Tong University. What is China's 'People's War' and how does it relate to the U.S.? The term "People's War" was coined by Mao Zedong, who led China's Communist Party through decades of brutal political persecution. Chang argues that recent actions by Chinese nationals inside the U.S. may align with this long-term strategy, calling it a protracted campaign to wear down American strength from within. 'For a communist party, this strategy has deep meaning,' said Chang. 'Their anti-American propaganda is creating justification for attacks. These are not random acts.' He also cited the 2019 declaration of a People's War by Chinese officials, which may signal a shift from economic competition to covert warfare — including bioterror, cyberattacks, and food supply disruptions. Could China weaponize America's own food supply? Experts are now warning that introducing deadly pathogens like Fusarium graminearum into American agriculture could have devastating ripple effects. 'Imagine walking into your grocery store and finding no bread, cereal, or even pet food,' said Jason Pack, a former FBI supervisory special agent. 'That's how quickly a pathogen like this can wreck our food system.' A widespread infection would: Raise food prices Harm livestock Halt exports Trigger major supply chain disruptions This is not a theoretical threat. In 2020, Americans across all 50 states received unsolicited seed packages from China. Chang says this was 'an attempt to plant invasive species.' More recently, Chinese online retailer Temu has reportedly shipped similar seeds to American consumers. What happens next and is the U.S. doing enough? Jian and Liu have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling, false statements, and visa fraud. But critics argue that such cases are being treated too lightly given the gravity of the threat. Chang warned, 'We can lose our country, even though we're the stronger nation, because we are not defending ourselves with the determination that's needed.' With a pattern of infiltration through education, espionage, and now bioterror, many believe it's time for the U.S. to reassess its relationship with China — especially when it comes to university research, international student programs, and agricultural imports. Is this the beginning of a bigger threat? This week's arrests may just be the latest chapter in a wider strategy. While America focuses on defending against conventional attacks, experts are now urging a shift in priorities — one that includes biological and agricultural threats posed by foreign adversaries like China. Whether through seeds, spyware, or smuggled fungi, the tactics may be subtle — but the potential consequences are massive. FAQs: Q1: What is the Chinese bioterror threat in the U.S.? Chinese nationals were caught smuggling a dangerous crop fungus, raising fears of biological attacks. Q2: Why are Chinese bioterror suspects linked to U.S. universities? Some suspects were studying in U.S. universities, with ties to Chinese government-funded programs.
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
US tourist dies after drinking hallucinogenic tea during ritual in Peru's Amazon forest
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