Ultra-processed food consumption in UK adolescents: distribution, trends, and sociodemographic correlates using the National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008/09 to 2018/19.
European journal of nutrition 2024
Chavez-Ugalde IY, de Vocht F, Jago R, Adams J, Ong KK, Forouhi NG, Colombet Z, Ricardo LIC, van Sluijs E, Toumpakari Z
DOI : 10.1007/s00394-024-03458-z
PubMed ID : 39014218
PMCID :
URL : https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-024-03458-z
Abstract
We quantified levels of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and investigated consumption patterns in a representative sample of UK adolescents.
We used data from 4-day food diaries from adolescents in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) (2008/09-2018/19). UPF were identified using the NOVA classification. We estimated the percentage of Total Energy Intake (%TEI) and the absolute weight (grams). Linear regression models quantified differences in UPF consumption across survey years and its association with participant's individual characteristics. This was an analysis of the repeated cross-sectional data from the UK NDNS Rolling Programme waves 1-11 (2008/09-2018/19). A total of 2991 adolescents (11-18y) with complete information on dietary intake were included.
Mean UPF consumption was 861 (SD 442) g/d and this accounted for 65.9% (SD 13.4%) of TEI. Between 2008 and 2019, mean UPF consumption decreased from 996 to 776 g/d [ - 211 (95%CI - 302; - 120)] and from 67.7% to 62.8% of TEI [ - 4.8% (95%CI - 8.1; - 1.5)]. Higher %TEI was consumed by adolescents with lower socioeconomic status; white ethnicity and living in England North. A higher weight of UPF consumption (g/d) was associated with being male, white, age 18y, having parents with routine or manual occupation, living in England North, and living with obesity.
Average energy intake from UPF has decreased over a decade in UK adolescents. We observed a social and regional patterning of UPF consumption, with higher consumption among adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, from a white ethnicity and living in England North. Our findings suggest inequalities associated with UPF intake and factors that might lie beyond individual choice.
Lay Summary
See the blog post on the MRC Epidemiology Unit website.
This study analysed how much ultra-processed food (UPF) UK adolescents consume and identified characteristics that were associated with their consumption. In order to achieve this we used food diaries from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (UK NDNS), collected over four days between 2008 and 2019. We classified foods using the NOVA system to identify foods that were classified as UPF, and calculated the percentage of total energy intake (%TEI) and the amount of food consumed in grams. The study included data from 2,991 adolescents aged 11-18 years and we used statistical models to examine changes over time and associations with personal characteristics. On average, adolescents consumed 861 grams of UPF per day, which made up 65.9% of their total energy intake. Over a decade between 2008 and 2019, UPF consumption decreased from 996 grams to 776 grams per day, and the %TEI from UPF dropped from 67.7% to 62.8%. Higher UPF consumption was found among adolescents with lower socioeconomic status, white ethnicity, and those living in Northern England. Boys, older teens (age 18), those with parents in manual jobs, and those living with obesity also consumed more UPF. Our findings suggest noticeable social and regional differences. Adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, white ethnic groups, and those living in Northern England consume more UPF. These findings highlight disparities in UPF consumption that may not be solely due to individual choices. Our results could guide policymakers in the design of more effective policies that include an inequality lens to combat the negative effects of UPF consumption among youth and the ripple effects this has on public health.