Nutrition Hot Topics for 2025
As we move into a new year, it is always good to reflect on trends, data, and news so we can relate more to our audience and offer useful education topics. Here is what we see as significant health and nutrition topics for 2024.
Inflation is the subject of most consumers' top of mind, with food prices increasing 3-10% yearly since the pandemic started in 2020. Food inflation has cooled to 2% for this year, but 70% of consumers are worried about making ends meet. Educators who focus on budget with their messaging will be way ahead.
The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines are in the works, and we should have an update on the latest research on health and nutrition from this committee by the end of this year. It is important to keep following the current 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines as they have not changed that much in the past 10 years, and most of the reports show that Americans have a lot of work to do for the consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and varied lean protein while lowering their added sugar consumption.
Plant-based food sales have cooled since food inflation has hit consumers' pocketbooks. Many consumers are still trying to eat less meat, which will remain an essential category in the store. Protein is a hot topic for health, the environment, and budget.
"Reduced sugar" is the top selling beverage claim. According to the USDA, sugar consumption is still at its highest level of all time as a per capita figure. With obesity rates so high and the average consumption of sugar way above the 10% recommended by WHO and the Dietary Guidelines of Americans, sugar consumption is a necessary big topic!
Research highlights are starting to trickle in from the All Of Us research database by the National Institute of Health. They are gathering data from over 250,000 subjects. The latest report shows that people with Type 2 Diabetes who have high blood sugar have DNA changes from obese and tend to have higher incidences of heart and kidney disease. They identified eight subgroups and will continue to research and report.
Rates of obesity continue to remain high at 45.6% even though that’s a slight drop from 46% for 2022-2023 (JAMA). It is important to help folks understand how to increase their physical activity, lower screen time, and improve their eating plans. Attention on health from the pandemic and a recent healthcare CEO murder have placed health front and center in the news and on many social media platforms. However, there are significant headwinds to effective action in current social practices with sedentary work, lack of time for physical activity, increased screen use, consumption of highly-refined foods, and an aging population.
With 50% of younger populations spending 4 hours or more on screens, it is important to emphasize mental health by avoiding excessive social media use and staying engaged socially in real-time. A proper diet with reduced ultra-processed foods has also improved my mental outlook. We have many articles on this topic in our newsletter library. Over 30% have had an anxiety issue at any one time.
See any more trends? Let us know!
