Ultra-processed foods are characterized by their high content of saturated fats, sugars, salt, additives and contaminants and their low nutritional value, and it is common for children’s diets to include products of this type such as pastries, soft drinks, smoothies and the snacks. Now, a study carried out by Spanish researchers has revealed that a high consumption of ultra-processed foods in childhood is linked to worse cardiometabolic health.
The work has been led by researchers from the Human Nutrition Unit of the Rovira i Virgili University (URV), in collaboration with the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV) and the Network Research Center for Physiopathology and Nutrition (CIBEROBN). , which evaluated the impact of these foods on more than 1,500 boys and girls aged 3 to 6 years from various Spanish cities (Reus, Córdoba, Santiago de Compostela, Navarra, Valencia, Barcelona and Zaragoza), who are part of the multicenter CORALS study.
The results of the research have been published in the scientific journal JAMA Network Open and revealed that children with greater consumption of ultra-processed foods had higher parameters in body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass and blood sugar levels, in addition lower levels of HDL cholesterol, known as the ‘good’ cholesterol.
The risk of ultra-processed foods: they are cheap and accessible
“The data obtained are worrying,” says Nancy Babio, principal investigator of the study. “Although the magnitude of the associations we have found could be considered of limited clinical relevance, very young boys and girls participated in our study and, nevertheless, a significant relationship between their consumption and these parameters has been revealed.” Babio emphasizes that these results should be taken as an early warning sign about possible future problems. “It is essential to recognize the importance of early dietary habits and their future implications on cardiometabolic health,” she adds.
Ultra-processed foods are especially consumed by children, adolescents and their families, especially those with lower socioeconomic and educational levels, where obesity is more prevalent.
The study also indicates that children of mothers with a lower educational or socioeconomic level tend to consume more ultra-processed foods, which makes them more likely to have health problems in the future. For this reason, Jordi Salas-Salvadó, director of the research team, highlights that it is necessary to implement public health policies especially aimed at vulnerable populations, and also recommends encouraging the replacement of these foods with healthier options, such as unprocessed or minimally processed products. .
Ultra-processed foods are increasingly common in the daily diet due to their high availability, low cost and easy access, being especially consumed by children, adolescents and their families, especially those with a lower socioeconomic and educational level, where obesity is more common. prevalent. In this sense, the study highlights the urgency of addressing the problem of excessive consumption of these foods in the children’s population and highlights the importance of implementing public policies and preventive measures to protect the long-term health of future generations.
Source: Rovira i Virgili University (URV)
