Americans on average get more than half of their calories from ultra-processed foods , according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Thursday.

The report says the average percentage of total calories consumed from ultra-processed foods among those aged 1 and older was 55% from August 2021 to August 2023.

Young people, aged 1 to 18 consumed even higher amounts at 61.9%, compared to adults aged 19 and older at 53%. No significant differences were found between males and females, but low-income adults consumed more ultra-processed foods than those with higher incomes.

The report described ultra-processed foods as those that tend to be energy-dense, low in fiber and contain little or no whole foods, while also being high in salt, sweeteners and unhealt

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