Trends in ultra-processed food consumption among UK adolescents show regional and socio-economic differences

In a recent study published in the European Journal of Nutritionresearchers investigate levels and patterns of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption in a representative sample of UK adolescents.

Study: Ultra-processed food consumption in UK teenagers: distribution, trends, and socio-demographic correlates using the National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008/09 to 2018/19. Image Credit: Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com

Trends in UPF consumption

The rapid increase in diet-related chronic diseases worldwide has been linked to UPFs, which are made from cheap industrial ingredients and additives. UPFs are also high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium while lacking essential nutrients.

Poor diet quality contributes to obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and higher mortality rates. Adolescents are very vulnerable to marketing for UPFs and, as a result, are the most frequent consumers of these unhealthy foods.

UPF consumption rates differ by country and socioeconomic status, with higher intake observed in high-income nations. For example, adolescents in Canada and the United States get a significant portion of their calories from UPFs.

Due to increased availability and marketing of UPFs consumption has increased over time. Understanding these trends, particularly among adolescents, is critical to developing effective public health strategies to reduce UPF intake and improve health outcomes.

About the study

Data were analyzed from the UK’s National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), which collects detailed information on food intake, nutrients and health status from a representative sample of the UK population using food diaries to record dietary habits over a four-day period . For the current study, data from 11- to 18-year-olds who completed at least three diet days were analyzed to determine their UPF consumption patterns in 11 waves from 2008 to 2019.

Foods were categorized based on their levels of processing, with UPFs defined as group four. The relative energy intake from UPFs, measured as a percentage of total calories, and the absolute weight of UPFs consumed, measured in grams per day, were recorded. Socio-demographic data were also collected, including age, sex, socio-economic status, ethnicity and region.

Statistical methods were used to identify associations between eating UPFs and various personal characteristics such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status. All data was adjusted to ensure that it accurately represented the UK population.

Results of the study

Of the 2,991 young people in the UK included in the current study, 51% were female, 43% had parents in high-level jobs, 66% were of normal weight, 83% were White, and 44% lived in the South of England, London in included. Among those aged 16 to 18, 26.7% were physically active for more than 124 minutes each day.

Study participants consumed an average of 1,741 calories per day, 66% of which came from UPFs. They also consumed an average of 2,004 grams of food per day, of which 861 grams was derived from UPFs.

In the first year, adolescents consumed an average of 994 grams of UPFs per day. After that, consumption decreased throughout the study.

Adolescents with parents in manual jobs consumed 5% more UPFs for their total energy than those with managerial jobs. Non-White youths consumed 8% less UPFs than White youths. Teenagers in the South of England consumed 3% less UPFs than those living in the North of England.

Age and weight also influenced UPF consumption. Older 17- to 18-year-olds, as well as those with obesity, consumed more UPFs. In comparison, non-white women and those living in Southern England and Northern Ireland consumed fewer UPFs.

Conclusions

Although UPF consumption continues to decrease over time, the current study noted that adolescents from lower socio-economic backgrounds, of White ethnicity, and those living in the North of England consumed higher rates of UPFs. The results of the study indicate that UPF consumption varies significantly by age, ethnicity, parental occupation, and region.

Some strengths of the current study include the large representative sample and detailed food diary data. However, significant limitations include a lack of household income data and possible misclassification of UPF items.

Future research is needed to clarify the health consequences of UPF consumption and to establish safe dietary levels. Addressing these factors can improve adolescent diets and help prevent diet-related diseases.