U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told a crowd of Native American leaders on Wednesday that cutting out “ultra-processed” foods would reverse high rates of diabetes within their communities.
Joined on stage by his new upside-down food pyramid at Gila River Indian Community’s Wild Horse Pass Casino, Kennedy mentioned the high incidences of Type 2 diabetes within Arizona’s Indigenous communities.
“Type 2 diabetes is curable,” he said. “You can reverse the diagnosis by changing the food source.”
But that isn’t true. Studies have shown that increased consumption of ultra-processed foods is correlated with increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, and while cutting consumption of those foods can help with management of symptoms, it will not “cure” the disease.
Kennedy is a longtime anti-vaxxer who is known for promoting pseudo science.
As he spoke to the Native leaders from across the country who were gathered for the annual Tribal Self Governance Conference, Kennedy claimed that he’s visited Indian Country more times in one year than any HHS secretary in history.
During what was set to be the last stop in a five-day “Take Back Your Health” trip to Arizona, Kennedy touted his accomplishments on behalf of tribal nations and said that he would continue to fight for Indian Health Services funding.
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