Arizona Teen Advocates for School Ban on Ultra-Processed Foods After Remarkable 160-Pound Weight Loss

For countless children across the United States, ultra-processed foods have become a significant concern, representing more than just a dietary choice. These foods are ubiquitous, inexpensive, and potentially harmful.

Penelope Popken, an Arizona teen, knows this all too well. By age six, she was already dependent on junk food—chips, crackers, muffins—discarding her mother’s nutritious lunches daily. By eighth grade, her weight had escalated to 320 pounds, leading to severe depression and anxiety.

Popken emphasizes the detrimental effects of ultra-processed foods, linking them to serious health issues like childhood obesity, ADHD, diabetes, and heart disease. “Nobody is stopping it,” she claims, which prompted her to take action.

Earlier this year, Popken addressed Arizona lawmakers in support of HB2164, a proposed bill aimed at banning ultra-processed foods in school lunches. “I was advocating for millions of kids who may not understand the consequences of what they eat,” she explained.

This growing crisis hinges on the lack of regulation surrounding children’s diets. Despite restrictions on smoking and alcohol consumption for minors, ultra-processed foods remain freely accessible in schools. Popken’s mother, Helene, calls this a “public health disaster,” a sentiment backed by scientific studies linking processed foods to numerous health problems.

The movement to eliminate these foods is gaining traction. Similar legislation has already made progress in California, prompting a wider awakening among parents. “Schools can’t continue to provide kids with toxic food,” stated Popken, underscoring the urgent need for healthier options.

Having lost 160 pounds after eliminating ultra-processed foods from her diet, Popken feels rejuvenated and hopeful. “No child should have to endure what I did. This isn’t just about dieting; it’s a life-or-death issue,” she asserts.

Popken advocates for real, nutritious food in schools, emphasizing that the battle is far from over. She highlights the potential for policy change with support from lawmakers. “The question is—will they act?”

With resilience, she encourages other children still caught in unhealthy eating patterns: “If I can do it, so can you. It’s time to reclaim our health.”

Penelope Popken serves as a voice for change and a beacon of hope for healthier futures.