Ultra-processed food intake in toddlerhood and mid-childhood in the UK: cross sectional and longitudinal perspectives.

Autor: Conway RE; Research Department of Behavioral Science and Health, University College London, London, UK. r.conway@ucl.ac.uk., Heuchan GN; Research Department of Behavioral Science and Health, University College London, London, UK., Heggie L; Research Department of Behavioral Science and Health, University College London, London, UK., Rauber F; Centre for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil., Lowry N; Research Department of Behavioral Science and Health, University College London, London, UK., Hallen H; Research Department of Behavioral Science and Health, University College London, London, UK., Llewellyn CH; Research Department of Behavioral Science and Health, University College London, London, UK.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: European journal of nutrition [Eur J Nutr] 2024 Dec; Vol. 63 (8), pp. 3149-3160. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Oct 04.
DOI: 10.1007/s00394-024-03496-7
Abstrakt: Purpose: (i) Characterize ultra-processed food (UPF) intakes in toddlerhood and mid-childhood, including identifying principal UPF sub-groups and associations with nutrient profile; (ii) explore stability and change in UPF intake between toddlerhood and mid-childhood.
Methods: Data were from children in the UK Gemini twin cohort at 21 months (n = 2,591) and 7 years (n = 592) of age. UPF intakes were estimated using diet diaries and Nova classification. Complex samples general linear or logistic regression models were used to explore associations between UPF intake, UPF sub-groups and nutrients, and changes in intake over time.
Results: The contribution of UPF to total energy was 46.9% (± 14.7) at 21 months and 59.4% (± 12.5) at 7 years. Principal UPF sub-groups were yogurts, higher-fiber breakfast cereals, and wholegrain breads in toddlerhood, and puddings and sweet cereal products and white breads in mid-childhood. At both ages, mean free sugar and sodium intakes exceeded recommended maximums and higher UPF consumption was associated with consuming more of each nutrient (P < 0.001). UPF intake was negatively associated with fat, saturated fat and protein intake in toddlerhood, and fiber intake in mid-childhood (P < 0.001). Being in the highest UPF intake quintile in toddlerhood was predictive of being in the highest quintile in mid-childhood (OR 9.40, 95%CI 3.94-22.46).
Conclusions: UPF accounted for nearly half of toddlers' energy, increasing to 59% in mid-childhood. Higher UPF consumers had higher intakes of free sugar and sodium. UPF intake in toddlerhood was predictive of mid-childhood intake. Effective policies are needed to reduce UPF intakes in the early years.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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