In recent years, ultra-processed foods (UPF) have come under increasing criticism. They are often designed to look attractive, but they are high in sugar, fat and salt.
According to data collected in different countries, adolescents are the most likely to consume it.
This study examined UPF consumption among UK adolescents and found that 66 %s originated from these UPFs. The effects were more severe for adolescents from low-income backgrounds.
What is the energy content of UPF for adolescents?
The researchers used food diaries completed by adolescents over a four-day period, based on 11 years of data collected as part of the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Participants were surveyed to determine variables such as their socioeconomic background. The researchers then looked at total daily energy intake (kcal) and weight in grams of UPF.
Adolescents had an average daily energy intake of 1,741 kcal including 65.9 % of UPF.
Adults consume less UPF. Esther van Sluijs told FoodNavigator that UK adults consume between 55 % and 57 % of calories in the form of UPF.
In terms of weight, UPF represent 43 % of the food consumed by adolescents. Weighted at 43 %, but with an energy content of 65.9 %, UPFs have a much higher energy density than regular foods.
Has adolescent UPF consumption changed over time?
Adolescent UPF consumption was not significantly different over the first seven years. However, it decreased from eighth to tenth grade. UPF, as a proportion of total energy consumed during the eighth year, decreased by 5.8 %.
The percentage of UPF decreased by 3% in terms of energy and 211.2 grams compared to the start of the research.
How important are demographics for UPF consumption?
However, the trend toward high UPF use was not uniform across all adolescents. Certain demographic groups are more likely than others to consume large amounts of UPF.
Criticism of “ultra-processed foods”
Researchers Jenny Chapman and David S. Smith have both argued that the ultra-processed food category (which uses the NOVA classification) has a tenuous connection to nutrition. Jenny Chapman, researcher Recently, it has been highlightedNOVA is a socio-political classification and not a nutritional one. The Institute of Food Technologists Recently released reportIt suggests that judging the nutritional value of a product based on its composition, as the NOVA classifier does, can be misleading.
Both in terms of energy consumption and body weight, for example adolescents whose parents worked in manual or routine jobs as well as those with intermediate jobs were more likely to consume large quantities of UPF than their peers whose parents worked in jobs. management positions. The study did not collect information on household income, but used parents' occupation to replace socioeconomic background.
We know that UPFs tend to be cheaper and easier to use, so they may lead to higher consumption among people from less privileged backgrounds. Sluijs said the exact reason for this still remains an area of research.
The north of England was also home to more UPF consumers than the south. White race was more likely than non-whites to have high UPF consumption.
Why do British teenagers consume so much UPF?
A recent study into the use of UPF in middle and high income countries found that British teenagers were among the main consumers.
The present study indicates that factors such as high urbanization or commercial pressures may have contributed to UPF consumption in the UK. For example, urbanization can facilitate access to cheaper foods, such as UPF.
European Journal of Nutrition
The National Diet and Nutrition Survey from 2008/09 to 2018/19 was used to examine the distribution of ultra-processed foods among UK adolescents.
Published on: July 17, 2024
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.06.05.23290977
Authors: Y. Chavez-Ugalde, F. De Vocht, R. Jago, J. Adams, KK Ong, N. Forouhi, Z. Colombet, LIC Ricardo, E. Van Sluijs, Z. Toumpakari
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