Ultra-processed food accounts for almost two-thirds of UK teenagers’ calorie intake, study finds

Young people eat around two-thirds of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFs), new research from the Universities of Cambridge and Bristol has found.

​​​​The study found that UPF consumption was higher among adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds, those of white ethnicity, and younger adolescents.

UPFs are food items manufactured from industrial substances and containing additives such as preservatives, sweeteners, colourings, flavorings and emulsifiers. UPFs vary widely, but generally reflect poor diet quality, with higher levels of added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium, as well as reduced fiber, protein, and micronutrient content. They have been suggested as one of the main causes of the global rise in diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Worldwide, the availability and sales of UPFs have increased over time and previous evidence suggests that this has led to an increase in consumption among adolescents. To look at trends within the UK, researchers from Cambridge and Bristol analyzed data from four-day food diaries of almost 3,000 young people in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey between 2008/09 and 2018/19.

In research published today European Journal of Nutritionthe researchers found that an average of 66% of teenagers’ energy intake came from UPF consumption during this period, although there was a slight decrease from 68% to 63% between 2008/09 and 2018/2019.

Parents’ occupation, ethnic group and region of the UK all influenced the proportion of calorie intake from UPFs:

• Adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds consumed a higher proportion of their caloric intake from UPFs compared to teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds (68.4% versus 63.8%).
• Adolescents of non-white ethnicity consumed a lower proportion of their caloric intake from UPFs (59.0% compared to 67.3%).
• Young people living in the North of England consumed a higher proportion of their caloric intake from UPFs compared to those living in the South of England and London (67.4% compared to 64.1%).
• 18-year-olds consumed a lower percentage of their caloric intake from UPFs compared to 11-year-olds (63.4% versus 65.6%).

Dr Yanaina Chavez-Ugalde from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, first author of the study, said, “Adolescents’ eating patterns and practices are influenced by many factors, including their home environment, the marketing they do. exposed and influenced by their friends and peers But adolescence is also an important time in our lives where behaviors begin to take hold.

“Our findings show that ultra-processed foods make up the majority of young people’s diets, and that their consumption is at a much higher level than is optimal, given their negative health consequences.”

The researchers argue that the observed reduction in pre-pandemic UPF intake may be partly explained by increased public awareness and health concerns related to sugar consumption, government-led campaigns, sugar taxes in other countries and the reformulation of sugary drinks to reduce their sugar content. to reduce. matter.

Dr. Esther van Sluijs from the MRC Epidemiology Unit at Cambridge, co-senior author, “Ultra-processed foods offer convenient and often cheaper solutions for time- and income-poor families, but unfortunately many of these foods offer poor value nutrients are also available. . This could contribute to the health inequalities we see emerging throughout childhood and adolescence.”

Dr Zoi Toumpakari from the Center for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences at the University of Bristol, co-senior author, said, “Our findings suggest that differences in the consumption of ultra-processed foods are not simply a result of individual preferences. We hope that this evidence can help guide policy makers in designing more effective policies to address the negative effects of ultra-processed food consumption among youth and the ripple effects this has on public health. “