{"id":5445,"date":"2024-07-17T15:06:01","date_gmt":"2024-07-17T15:06:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailywashingtoninsider.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/17\/young-people-consume-around-two-thirds-of-daily-calories-from-ultra-processed-foods-according-to-new-research\/"},"modified":"2024-07-17T15:06:01","modified_gmt":"2024-07-17T15:06:01","slug":"young-people-consume-around-two-thirds-of-daily-calories-from-ultra-processed-foods-according-to-new-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailywashingtoninsider.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/17\/young-people-consume-around-two-thirds-of-daily-calories-from-ultra-processed-foods-according-to-new-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Young people consume around two-thirds of daily calories from ultra-processed foods, according to new research"},"content":{"rendered":"
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British adolescents consume around two-thirds of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFs) that may increase the risk of poor health, according to new research.<\/p>\n

Young people from white or disadvantaged backgrounds, and those living in the north of England, had the highest intake of calories from UPFs, results show.<\/p>\n

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There is growing concern that foods containing manufactured substances such as emulsifiers, preservatives, sweeteners and flavourings are a key driver of rising obesity, type-2 diabetes and cancer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The findings strengthen the case for an overhaul of junk food marketing promised by the new Health Secretary Wes Streeting – made while Labour were in opposition.<\/p>\n

Scientists at the universities of Cambridge and Bristol analysed food diaries kept by almost 3,000 adolescents in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey between 2008\/09 and 2018\/19.<\/p>\n

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On average 66% of their energy intake came from UPFs, though there was a small fall, from 68% to 63%, over the decade, according to results published in the European Journal of Nutrition.<\/em><\/p>\n

But consumption varied significantly between certain groups.<\/p>\n

In adolescents from deprived backgrounds UPFs accounted for 68% of energy intake, compared to 63% in those with a more privileged start to life.<\/p>\n

White adolescents also consumed 67% of calories from UPFs, while for those in ethnically diverse communities it was just 59%.<\/p>\n

While consumption reached 67% of energy intake in adolescents growing up in the north of England, it was just 64% in those in London and the South.<\/p>\n

Lead author Dr Yanaina Chavez-Ugalde, from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, said: “Adolescents’ food patterns and practices are influenced by many factors, including their home environment, the marketing they are exposed to and the influence of their friends and peers.<\/p>\n

“But adolescence is also an important time in our lives where behaviours begin to become ingrained.<\/p>\n

“It’s clear from our findings that ultra-processed foods make up the majority of adolescents’ diets, and their consumption is at a much higher level than is ideal, given their potential negative health impacts.”<\/p>\n

UPFs are controversial.<\/p>\n

Some scientists have argued they are a distraction from the dietary advice on avoiding foods high in saturated fat, sugar and salt.<\/p>\n

But others say UPFs are more than just junk foods.<\/p>\n

They include products such as ready meals containing ingredients that wouldn’t be found in a kitchen at home.<\/p>\n

Dr Esther van Sluijs, another of the researchers, said: “Ultra-processed foods offer convenient and often cheaper solutions to time – and income – poor families, but unfortunately many of these foods also offer poor nutritional value.<\/p>\n

“This could be contributing to the inequalities in health we see emerging across childhood and adolescence.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

This post appeared first on sky.com<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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