An estimated 20,000 to 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have undergone amputations of at least one of their limbs since the war began in February last year, with many suffering serious psychological damage or trauma on a scale unseen since the First World War.
Ukraine also suffers from a shortage of those capable of treating the wounded, with only five recognized rehabilitation professionals in the entire country before the war began, according to Olga Rudneva, head of the charity ‘Superhumans.’
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The total number of casualties approached half a million as of last month, according to U.S. officials. Ukraine is said to have lost around 70,000 killed and a further 100,000 to 120,000 wounded despite only having fielded around 500,000 troops.
Russia is believed by the West to have lost 120,000 killed and around 180,000 injured. However, these figures are disputed by the Russians, who claim the number killed is no more than 30,000. Russia has around 1.3 million active-duty troops.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Zohran Mamdani (D) declared that his administration would be President Donald J. Trump’s “worst nightmare” during a press conference.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zohran Mamdani, President Donald Trump, and former governor Andrew Cuomo (D).
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Mamdani made the statements on Thursday during a press conference in New York City.
💬KEY QUOTE: “My administration would be Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.” – Zohran Mamdani
🎯IMPACT: Mamdani’s comments have drawn sharp criticism from both Trump and Cuomo, with the race for New York City mayor heating up.
IN FULL
New York City’s Democratic socialist candidate for mayor, Zohran Mamdani, made bold claims at a press conference on Thursday, stating that his administration would be President Donald J. Trump’s “worst nightmare.” Mamdani, who represents parts of Queens in the New York State Assembly, won the Democratic primary in June in a surprise upset.
“My administration would be Donald Trump’s worst nightmare,” Mamdani declared, adding: “I’ve said that my approach to Washington will not be a reflexive one, it is one that will be in opposition to Donald Trump’s administration when it comes for New Yorkers, when it comes at the expense of the welfare of the people that I’m seeking to serve.”
The self-described Democratic socialist’s candidacy has drawn national attention, particularly from President Trump, who is reportedly considering intervening in the race to block Mamdani’s potential victory in November. “What threatens the president so much about my campaign and our movement is the fact that it showcases the way in which he’s betrayed the very people that we are seeking to serve,” Mamdani said.
Mamdani also accused his opponent, former governor Andrew Cuomo (D), of collaborating with Trump against him, stating, “I will not pick up the phone to call Donald Trump to ask how we can work together to defeat the will of Democrats across this city. That’s what Andrew Cuomo did.” Cuomo responded sharply on X (formerly Twitter), calling Mamdani “short on facts and long on nonsense.”
Mamdani further alleged that the Trump administration has considered extreme measures against him, including denaturalization, deportation, and arrest, claiming these efforts reflect the president’s fear of his candidacy. “Those are the actions of a president who is afraid of the fact that I will actually deliver in a manner where he has simply betrayed,” Mamdani stated.
The 33-year-old Democratic socialist has campaigned on controversial proposals such as the abolition of private property, government-run grocery stores, free childcare, and higher taxes on income and predominantly white neighborhoods.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Scottish bagpiper has faced backlash and social media bans on platforms like TikTok after sharing videos promoting Scottish culture abroad.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Robin Alderslowe, a 20-year-old Scottish bagpiper; and critics, including fellow Scots and social media platforms like TikTok.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Alderslowe has traveled to countries like India, South Korea, and Australia, with his videos recently going viral.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The most core thing about fixing immigration is fixing our own attitudes toward our own self.” — Robin Alderslowe
🎯IMPACT: Alderslowe has been ostracized by some Scots, banned from social media platforms like TikTok, and faced criticism for being vocal about Scottish culture.
IN FULL
Robin Alderslowe, a 20-year-old bagpiper from Scotland, has stirred debate after posting videos of himself showcasing Scottish culture in various countries. He says his mission is to celebrate and preserve his heritage in a world where Western traditions often face criticism or are becoming diluted.
Traveling to countries such as South Korea, Australia, and India, Alderslowe has gained attention online, some of it supportive, and some not. While audiences abroad have generally responded with curiosity and appreciation, the strongest pushback, he says, has come from his fellow Scots.
“Normally, people think the confused faces of Indian people means they’re angry, but they’re quite pleased to have me there,” Alderslowe explained in a recent media interview. He noted that although his performances are well-received in places like India, he’s faced accusations of racism back home in Scotland. According to Alderslowe, some have even gone so far as to call him a “Nazi” simply for expressing pride in his culture.
This backlash has had real-world consequences. Alderslowe shared that he’s been effectively pushed out of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, a famous destination for street performers. “I can’t play there anymore,” he said, noting that the local busking community has distanced itself from him. Tourists often ask about him using the label “racist bagpiper,” further contributing to his exclusion.
His presence on social media has also been impacted. TikTok has permanently banned his account, while Instagram has restricted some of his functions, including posting and private messaging. Despite these obstacles, Alderslowe remains determined. He insists that cultural pride is not only important but necessary. “If we want to keep our culture the way that it is … then we have to be proud of [that] culture and say it in a loud way,” he said.
He also voiced concern over the growing trend of discouraging Westerners from valuing their heritage. “We’re saying things like, ‘White people don’t have any culture,'” Alderslowe noted. “And to me, the most core thing about fixing immigration is fixing our own attitudes toward our own self, our heritage, our history, and our culture.” He believes being unapologetic and outspoken is key to preserving cultural identity, even if it means facing criticism.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Over half of those arrested for carjackings in Washington, D.C., since August 2023 were minors, with some as young as 12 years old.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Juvenile offenders, D.C. police, Attorney General Brian Schwalb (D), Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), and President Donald J. Trump.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Washington, DC; data from August 2023 to present, with a specific incident involving a government staffer on Sunday morning.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these ‘minors’ as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14.” – President Donald Trump
🎯IMPACT: The rise in juvenile crime has sparked debate over curfews, penalties, and federal intervention in D.C. crime policies.
IN FULL
Since August 2023, 333 suspects have been arrested for carjackings in Washington, D.C., with 56 percent of those arrests involving individuals under the age of 18. According to police data, many of the juveniles arrested were between 15 and 16 years old, with some as young as 12. Notably, the nation’s capital has seen a concerning number of high–profileincidentsinvolving carjackings in recent years, including the murder of former Trump administration staffer Mike Gill.
The rise in juvenile crime has coincided with a broader increase in vehicle-related offenses. Over the past two years, D.C. has reported 1,046 carjackings, with 72 percent involving a firearm. In contrast, motor vehicle thefts without the owner present have remained steady, with 2,847 cases reported since August 2024 compared to 2,844 in the same period last year.
The issue gained national attention after 19-year-old Edward Coristine, a former staffer with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was attacked by a group of 10 juveniles while attempting to prevent a carjacking. Two 15-year-olds have been arrested in connection with the assault. President Donald J. Trump responded by calling for tougher penalties on juvenile offenders and warning of a potential federal takeover of D.C. if local leaders fail to address the crime surge.
“Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control. Local ‘youths’ and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-year-olds, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, adding: “The law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these ‘minors’ as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14… If the D.C. leaders do not clean up their capital city, I will do whatever is necessary to protect our nation’s capital, even if it means taking federal control of the City.”
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has pushed back on such proposals, emphasizing rehabilitation for minors. In response to the Coristine case, Schwalb called the attack “horrific and disturbing” and stated, “When MPD brings us cases with sufficient evidence of juveniles who have broken the law and hurt people, we will prosecute them and ensure they face consequences for their actions.” His office has reported a 90 percent prosecution rate for homicide and attempted homicide cases in 2024, as well as high rates for carjacking and violent assault cases. Meanwhile, Mayor Muriel Bowser has implemented curfews for minors, including an 11 PM citywide curfew and earlier curfews in certain neighborhoods.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) criticized Fox News for its aging audience and responded to host Mark Levin calling her a “lunatic.”
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mark Levin, and Fox News.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Greene made her comments during an interview on Real America’s Voice News on Wednesday.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Fox News better start paying attention, but their problem is most of the people that watch Fox News are very much up in age, the Baby Boomer generation… That’s not the future of America.” – Marjorie Taylor Greene
🎯IMPACT: Greene’s remarks highlight growing divisions within the GOP and her feud with Fox News’s more neoconservative personalities.
IN FULL
Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is publicly criticizing Fox News and one of its high-profile hosts, Mark Levin, after he labeled her a “lunatic” during an appearance on the network. Levin dismissed Greene’s influence in the Republican Party, saying, “The Republican Party isn’t going the way of Marjorie Taylor Greene or her ilk. No way!” She and Levin, a staunch neoconservative, have been at odds over U.S. military actions, particularly concerning airstrikes on Iranian nuclear targets. Greene has urged a more domestic focus, arguing that internal issues should take priority over foreign conflicts.
Greene responded during an interview with Eric Bolling on Real America’s Voice News, pushing back against Levin’s comments and the platform he used to make them. “Mark has never called me or talked to me in person,” she said. “When he goes on Fox News, the network where he hosts his show, and calls me ‘crazy’ and refers to ‘Marjorie Taylor Greene and her ilk,’ he’s insulting my entire district.”
In that same interview, Greene took aim at Fox News’ viewer demographics, criticizing the network for leaning heavily on an older audience. “Fox News better start paying attention, but their problem is most of the people that watch Fox News are very much up in age, the Baby Boomer generation, who I love, those are my parents, but that’s their biggest audience. That’s not the future of America,” she stated.
Data from Pew Research supports her remarks: nearly 50 percent of Americans aged 65 and up, along with 45 percent of those aged 50 to 64, report regularly getting their news from Fox News. Comparatively, that number drops to 32 percent among people aged 30 to 49, and just 28 percent for those under 30.
Despite Greene’s critique, Fox News recently reported strong growth in viewership, with a 31 percent increase in its key 25–54 demographic between April and June, and a 25 percent rise in total audience numbers.
Though known as a strong ally of President Donald J. Trump, Greene has started to voice disagreements with him and the broader Republican Party on a number of issues, including artificial intelligence and U.S. foreign policy. The Georgia Republican recently questioned her place in the GOP, saying, “I don’t know if the Republican Party is leaving me, or if I’m kind of not relating to the Republican Party as much anymore.”
❓WHAT HAPPENED: A 43-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker has been charged in London with multiple counts of child sexual abuse, including the alleged rape of an eight-year-old girl.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kamran Khan, a Pakistani national, and an eight-year-old girl.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Alleged crimes occurred between September 2022 and July 2023 in London; court proceedings took place this week at Inner London Crown Court.
🎯IMPACT: Khan remains in custody and is set to face a seven-day trial in January for the alleged offenses.
IN FULL
A 43-year-old Pakistani migrant appeared before a British court in London this week on charges of allegedly repeatedly raping an eight-year-old girl. Kamran Khan is charged with two counts of rape, two counts of forcing a child under the age of 13 to engage in a sex act, two counts of forcing a child to witness a sexual activity, and four counts of sexually assaulting a child.
The 43-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker reportedly required the assistance of an Urdu language interpreter while pleading not guilty in court. According to prosecutors, between September of last year and July of this year, Khan raped an eight-year-old girl on two separate occasions.
The prosecution also accuses the migrant of molesting the young girl’s genitals with his hands and penis, and forcing her to watch another person have sex. Khan is scheduled to return to court in January, with a trial that is expected to last around seven days. He will be held in custody until his trial date.
The case is just the latest involving a Pakistani national accused of child sex crimes and comes after a decade of mostly Pakistani child grooming gang activity across the UK.
A recent report admitted that police purposely ignored the ethnic data of the grooming gangs, with some never bothering even to record it. In some cases, local police were even accused of joining the grooming gangs in abusing children. Five victims came forward in the town of Rotherham, with one claiming that at least one police officer also raped her.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: MAGA ‘godfather’ Stephen K. Bannon has responded to a Daily Mail article claiming he will consider a presidential run in 2028.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Steve Bannon, Vice President JD Vance, and President Donald J. Trump.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The Daily Mail, without comment from anyone close to Bannon, claimed on Thursday that his potential candidacy is in the early planning stages for the 2028 election.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Trump 2028.” – Stephen K. Bannon
IN FULL
Unnamed and anonymous sources have told Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper that Stephen K. Bannon is in the preliminary phases of planning a presidential run for the 2028 election. The news appears designed to create a significant rift within the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, which Bannon was instrumental in building.
Speaking exclusively to The National Pulse on Thursday, after the publication of the Mail’s thinly sourced story, Bannon remarked, “Trump 2028.”
The Daily Mail claims Bannon did not comment on the matter, but The National Pulse can also reveal that, according to Bannon himself, no request for comment was made to Bannon before the story’s publication.
Bannon told reporters in March: “I don’t think like a politician… all I do is back President Trump and try to move the populist agenda and the America First agenda.”
He has also previously called the notion “too absurd,” though this did not stop the Mail publishing the story with a single, anonymous source.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Speaking with Dinesh D’Souza on the Dinesh D’Souza Podcast, The National Pulse Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam argues the political backbone recently developed by Republican lawmakers—best illustrated by congressional redistricting fights in Texas and other states—is driven by increasing grassroots MAGA leadership.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Raheem Kassam, Dinesh D’Souza, the MAGA movement, GOP lawmakers, and President Donald J. Trump.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The podcast aired Wednesday evening, August 7, 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: “I think what is happening in terms of the leadership that’s going on, yes, of course, there is so much leadership from the White House and President Trump, but, I think really, the leadership is coming from the base up at the moment.” — Raheem Kassama
🎯IMPACT: Kassam argues that while the GOP is taking up more and more of the MAGA Agenda, the Republican establishment has yet to “have had certain changes of heart” and is instead looking to conserve its power.
IN FULL
The National Pulse Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam argues the political backbone recently developed by Republican lawmakers—best illustrated by congressional redistricting fights in Texas and other states—is driven by increasing grassroots MAGA leadership. Speaking with Dinesh D’Souza on the Dinesh D’Souza Podcast, Kassam said that while President Donald J. Trump and his White House are providing leadership, the biggest boost driving the populist agenda is coming from the MAGA base outside Washington, D.C.
“Look, I’m a populist, but I’m also a bit of a cynic—as many probably know. I would love to say, ‘Yes, you know, clearly the GOP has grown a pair’—I don’t believe that to be the case,” Kassam explains, continuing: “I think this is what happens in a power vacuum, is that these politicians see the ability to take on more power, to keep out their enemies for longer.”
“I think what is happening in terms of the leadership that’s going on, yes, of course, there is so much leadership from the White House and President Trump, but, I think really, the leadership is coming from the base up at the moment,” Kassam told D’Souza. “The number of years now that I’ve spoken to my friends in Texas, our members at The National Pulse in Texas, who go ‘I can’t believe it, I don’t understand, we have dominance in this state, but we’re not doing the things we need to do. We’re certainly not doing it on the topic of Islam… we’re not doing it in terms of… redistricting.”
Kassam goes on to contend that the recent political action on these issues and others is driven by intensifying grassroots activism, while noting: “When the grassroots, the MAGA base, because I don’t think the MAGA base—for all that the good people here are in Washington, D.C., working in the Trump administration—I still don’t think the MAGA base is in D.C. The MAGA base is all around the country.”
Referring to the regular MAGA Americans outside the nation’s capital, Kassam emphasized that they “are the basis on which change is made. And that is the basis on which people keep their eyes on the prize, the closest, is in their communities, is in their neighborhoods, and all of that filters upwards.”
Despite the positive progress, Kassam contends healthy skepticism should still be directed at the GOP political establishment. “So yes, the GOP base is certainly pushing the institutional Republican Party in the directions it needs to go, I’m just not sure yet that the politicians themselves have had certain changes of heart, rather than realizing, you know, ‘Hey, this is how I hold on to my seat.'”
WATCH:
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Trump-owned Truth Social has introduced Truth Search AI, a new search feature powered by Perplexity AI, that prioritizes conservative media sources, including Fox News, whose owner, Rupert Murdoch, is currently being sued by President Trump.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Truth Social, Devin Nunes, Perplexity AI and its Chief Business Officer Dmitry Shevelenko, Rupert Murdoch, Fox News, and The Wall Street Journal.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The feature launched on the web version of Truth Social, with testing for iOS and Android apps expected soon.
💬KEY QUOTE: “We plan to robustly refine and expand our search function based on user feedback as we implement a wide range of additional enhancements to the platform.” – Devin Nunes
🎯IMPACT: The feature highlights conservative publications, raising questions about its alignment with Truth Social’s free speech mission.
IN FULL
President Donald J. Trump’s Truth Social has launched Truth Search AI, a new search feature powered by the artificial intelligence (AI) startup Perplexity. The feature is currently available on the web version of Truth Social, with public testing for iOS and Android apps expected “in the near future.” Interestingly, initial testing of the feature shows that it consistently directs users to conservative media outlets such as Fox News and Fox Business. Both news networks are owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who Trump is currently suing over the publication of an alleged 2023 birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein by another Murdoch-owned media property, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
The National Pulse reported on Wednesday that the WSJ‘s Trump-Epstein story is already one of its most-read in recent history. When the story was published last month, President Trump dismissed the letter as “fake” and filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the WSJ, its parent company, News Corp, owner Rupert Murdoch, and the reporters involved.
However, the media mogul’s attorneys have moved to dismiss the case, and Murdoch’s deposition has been delayed due to his declining health. The agreement postponing the deposition requires Murdoch’s attorneys to provide President Trump with regular updates on the media mogul’s health. If they fail to do so, the deposition—originally scheduled for later this month—will proceed.
Meanwhile, Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes described the AI feature as a significant addition to the “Patriot Economy.” He added, “We plan to robustly refine and expand our search function based on user feedback as we implement a wide range of additional enhancements to the platform.” For now, the tool is labeled as being in beta testing.
Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer Dmitry Shevelenko expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that the company is “excited” to provide its AI to “an audience with important questions.” He promoted Perplexity as a tool capable of delivering “direct, reliable answers with transparent citations.”
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil defended Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, calling it “unavoidable” and citing Palestinian grievances.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mahmoud Khalil, a former student activist, journalist Ezra Klein, the New York Times, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Statements were made during an interview this week, addressing the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Unfortunately, these horrible things happened, but we cannot ask Palestinians to be perfect victims.” – Mahmoud Khalil
🎯IMPACT: Khalil’s remarks have sparked backlash, with critics pointing to his history of supporting Palestinian terror groups and refusing to condemn Hamas.
IN FULL
Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student and prominent pro-Hamas activist, described the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel as “unavoidable” during an interview with New York Times journalist Ezra Klein. Khalil, who narrowly avoided deportation earlier this year, claimed the attack stemmed from Israel’s alleged disregard for Palestinians and their grievances.
“To me, it felt frightening that we had to reach this moment in the Palestinian struggle,” Khalil said, referencing his experience as an intern with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) at the time of the attack. Khalil argued that Israel’s diplomatic progress with Saudi Arabia under the Abraham Accords ignored Palestinian concerns, which he claimed exacerbated tensions leading to the violence.
Khalil declined to call the attack a “mistake,” stating, “Unfortunately, these horrible things happened, but we cannot ask Palestinians to be perfect victims.” He further alleged that Israel’s actions, including the killing of Palestinians in the West Bank, contributed to the escalation. Khalil also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming he sought a response to justify further actions against Palestinians.
Mahmoud Khalil says the Oct 7 massacre was unavoidable.
“It felt frightening that we had to reach this moment in the Palestinian struggle,” he tells The New York Times. “We couldn’t avoid such a moment.”
Khalil’s comments come amid scrutiny of his past activities, including leading the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at Columbia and his refusal to condemn Hamas terrorism. In March, Khalil was detained by U.S. immigration authorities for over 100 days on accusations of engaging in activities aligned with Hamas, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Khalil, who entered the U.S. on a student visa in 2022, is now suing the federal government for $20 million over his detainment, alleging political motivation.
The October 7 Hamas attack, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli civilian deaths and widespread atrocities, has been described as one of the deadliest in recent history.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: A new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that while Americans, especially children, are consuming a significant portion of their calories from ultra-processed foods, that number is in decline due in part to the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics compiled the data, and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed grave concern over the issue.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Data was released in August 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: “[C]onsumption of mean calories from ultra-processed foods among adults decreased.” — CDC study
🎯IMPACT: The study highlights the role of ultra-processed foods in chronic diseases and obesity, sparking calls for dietary changes.
IN FULL
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new data showing that while Americans, particularly children, continue to consume large amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), that number is beginning to decline from recent highs. Over the last several years, the average percentage of total calories from UPFs was 55 percent for individuals aged one and older. Children aged 1 to 18 consumed an even higher percentage, with 61.9 percent of their calories coming from these foods. However, the study notes that while still elevated, “the consumption of mean calories from ultra-processed foods among adults decreased” over the last decade.
Ultra-processed foods are typically energy-dense, low in nutritional value, and contain added fats, sugars, and chemicals to extend shelf life and enhance flavor. Popular examples include snacks, sugary beverages, and sandwiches like hamburgers. These foods are designed to be inexpensive, convenient, and highly palatable, contributing to their widespread consumption.
The Trump White House has previously pointed to ultra-processed foods as a significant factor in rising rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called for reducing the prevalence of these foods in the American diet.
The CDC’s data also reveals a fluctuating trend in UPF consumption over the past 20 years. After a decline in consumption following 2013, rates increased again before showing a slight downward trend since 2017-2018. The pandemic disrupted the usual two-year survey cycle, which had been ongoing since 1999-2000, according to CDC spokesman Brian Tsai.
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