Intake of ultraprocessed food increases cardiometabolic risk in children

It is already known that high intake of ultraprocessed food is associated with higher cardimetabolic risk in adults. A new study published in the Journal of American Medical Association Network Open found that higher consumption of ultraprocessed food increased body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass index, fasting plasma glucose and decreased the levels of the protective high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations [1]. That was a cross-sectional study of 1426 children in the Childhood Obesity Risk Assessment Longitudinal Study (CORALS). The study recruited preschool children aged 3 to 6 years from schools and centers in 7 cities of Spain, with informed consent from parents or caregivers. Findings of the study highlighted the need for public health initiatives to promote the replacement of ultraprocessed food with unprocessed or minimally processed foods.

Ultraprocessed foods are those which undergo extensive industrial processing and often containing multiple ingredients, additives and preservatives which make them ready to eat, palatable and appealing. They are typically rich in saturated fats, sugars, sodium and other additives and lower in essential nutrients, which increase the cardiometabolic risk. As they have high availablitiy and affordability, with wide marketing to children, they are more often used by children and adolescent along with their families, especially those who are more prone for obesity due to socioeconomic and educational reasons. As the habits established during early childhood are often followed in adulthood this compounds the risk of cardiovascular disease and other noncommunicable diseases.

Reference

1. Khoury N, Martínez MÁ, Garcidueñas-Fimbres TE, Pastor-Villaescusa B, Leis R, de Las Heras-Delgado S, Miguel-Berges ML, Navas-Carretero S, Portoles O, Pérez-Vega KA, Jurado-Castro JM, Vázquez-Cobela R, Mimbrero G, Andía Horno R, Martínez JA, Flores-Rojas K, Picáns-Leis R, Luque V, Moreno LA, Castro-Collado C, Gil-Campos M, Salas-Salvadó J, Babio N. Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Children. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 May 1;7(5):e2411852. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.11852. PMID: 38758555; PMCID: PMC11102022.