Trends in ultra-processed food consumption among young people in the UK show regional and socioeconomic differences

In a recently published study European Journal of NutritionResearchers are investigating levels and patterns of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption in a representative sample of adolescents in the UK.

To work: Ultra-processed food consumption in adolescents in England: distribution, trends and sociodemographic correlates using the National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008/09–2018/19. Image Credit: Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com

Trends in UPF consumption

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

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

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

The increased availability and marketing of UPFs has led to increased consumption 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 work

Data were analysed from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS). This survey 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 analysed to identify UPF consumption patterns across 11 waves from 2008 to 2019.

Foods were categorized by level of processing, with UPFs defined as a fourth group. Relative energy intake from UPFs, measured as a percentage of total calories, and absolute weight of UPFs consumed, measured in grams per day, were recorded. Sociodemographic data, including age, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and region, were also collected.

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

Study findings

Of the 2,991 UK adolescents included in the current study, 51% were female, 43% had parents in senior jobs, 66% were of normal weight, 83% were White and 44% lived in the South of England, including London. 26.7% of 16- to 18-year-olds 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, 861 grams of which came from UPFs.

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

Teenagers whose parents did manual work consumed 5% more UPF of their total energy than those whose parents did administrative work. Non-White adolescents consumed 8% less UPF than White adolescents. Teenagers in southern England consumed 3% less UPF than those living in northern England.

Age and weight also affected UPF consumption. Older adolescents aged 17 to 18 years and those with obesity consumed more UPF. In comparison, non-White adolescent females and those living in Southern England and Northern Ireland consumed less UPF.

Results

While UPF consumption continues to decline over time, the current study observed that adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, White ethnicity and those living in the North of England consumed higher rates of UPF. The study findings suggest 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, notable limitations include the lack of household income data and potential misclassification of UPF items.

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