A new study reveals that toddlers in the UK obtain nearly half of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFs), with this figure rising to 59% by the age of seven. This research is the most comprehensive review of young children’s diets and highlights a concerning trend in global UPF consumption. The findings were published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
Researchers from University College London (UCL) used data from the Gemini twin cohort study, alongside the Nova classification system, to analyze children’s diets. UPFs, often industrially produced, include ingredients such as emulsifiers, colorings, and sweeteners—substances rarely found in home-cooked meals.
The study looked at the eating habits of 2,591 children born in 2007 and 2008. Parents recorded their children’s food intake over three days when they were toddlers, and again when they turned seven. Results show that by the age of seven, UPFs like sugary cereals and desserts were the most common in their diets.
For toddlers—aged 21 months at the time of data collection—popular UPFs included flavored yoghurts and wholegrain cereals, items often perceived as healthy. By the age of seven, consumption shifted toward sugary cereals and sweets.
The research also highlighted several limitations, such as the sample’s overrepresentation of white children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. However, senior study author, Professor Clare Llewellyn, emphasized the significance of the findings. She noted that there are no other large-scale datasets that track dietary habits in such detail from early childhood, and stressed that these estimates are likely conservative.
“Early eating patterns are crucial, as they establish habits that can last into adulthood,” said Llewellyn. “Our data shows that children who consumed more UPFs as toddlers continued to eat more of these foods at age seven.”
Lead author Dr. Rana Conway echoed these concerns, adding that it’s challenging for parents to provide a healthy diet in today’s food landscape. She pointed out that highly processed foods are often more affordable than fresh fruits and vegetables, and marketing can make it difficult for parents to discern healthier options.
The research team is urging policymakers to take action, suggesting interventions such as warning labels on UPFs, subsidies on fresh foods, and improved school meal programs to help reduce children’s reliance on ultra-processed foods.
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