Young children in the UK get almost half their calories from ultra-processed foods (UPF), including flavored yoghurts and whole-grain breakfast cereals, according to a new study.
The figure rises further, to 59 percent of total calories by the time children turn seven, researchers at University College London (UCL) found.
Experts have warned that eating patterns in the early years can start habits that continue into adulthood, adding that UPFs marketed for children often contain excessive amounts of salt and sugar.
And they said more needs to be done to reduce the amount of UPF consumed by young people following their “concerning” findings.
The team analyzed data from 2,591 children born in the UK in 2007 and 2008 whose parents recorded what they ate and drank over three days.
Experts warn that eating patterns in the early years can start habits that continue into adulthood
The Nova system, developed by scientists in Brazil more than a decade ago, divides foods into four groups based on the amount of processing they have gone through. Unprocessed foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, and meat. Processed culinary ingredients, which are not typically eaten alone, include oils, butter, sugar, and salt.
The most common UPFs consumed by young children (who were 21 months old when their parents recorded their diets) were flavored yogurts and whole-grain breakfast cereals, products typically considered healthy.
At the age of seven, the most common UPFs were sweet cereals, white bread, and puddings.
Lead author Dr Rana Conway said: “Ultra-processed foods are not entirely bad for our health and the foods typically consumed by young children in our study are those considered quite healthy.”
‘However, some whole grain cereals and flavored yogurts have high levels of added sugar and salt and our study found that young children who ate more ultra-processed foods also had higher intakes of these ingredients.
“This is concerning, especially because young children generally consume more added sugar and salt than recommended.
Young children in the UK get almost half their calories from ultra-processed foods (UPF). That includes flavored yogurts and whole-grain breakfast cereals.
“Apart from sugar and salt, a diet that includes many ultra-processed foods is less likely to accustom children to the natural flavors of whole foods and therefore is less likely to encourage healthy eating in the future.” “.
They also found that ultra-processed foods consumed at 21 months predicted UPF consumption at age seven.
Toddlers who consumed the most UPF were 9.4 times more likely to be in the highest UPF consumption group at age seven compared to toddlers who consumed the lowest proportion of UPF.
The research team said this may be partly attributed to the “hyperpalatable” nature of these UPFs, as they tend to be foods high in fat, sugar or salt.
Lead author Professor Clare Llewellyn said: “Eating patterns in the early years are important as they help establish habits that can persist throughout childhood and adulthood.”
“This was reflected in our findings: 21-month-old children who ate more ultra-processed foods were also likely to be higher consumers of ultra-processed foods at the age of seven.”
UPFs, which can also include biscuits, sausages, chips and industrially produced bread, often contain ingredients that are not used or used very rarely in home cooking, such as colorings and sweeteners.
The findings, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, also revealed that all of the young children involved in the study consumed more free sugars than national guidelines recommend.
Researchers now call for policies to rebalance children’s diets toward a lower UPF ratio, such as restricting the promotion of unhealthy foods marketed to children, adding warning labels to products, and subsidizing fresh, minimally processed foods.
Dr Conway said: “It is not easy to feed children healthily in our current food environment.” Highly processed foods are often cheaper than foods that parents would like to give their children, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
“In addition, even though labels suggest they are a healthy option, ultra-processed foods marketed to children often contain too much sugar and salt. “This makes it harder for parents to make healthy choices.”