Distribution of the consumption of ultraprocessed foods in the U.K. population

• Grant number: 18/01028-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutritional Analysis of Population
• Principal researcher: Maria Laura da Costa Louzada
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Gualassi
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/14900-9 - Consumption of ultra-processed foods, dietary nutrient profile diet and obesity in seven countries, AP.TEM

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases have been increasing progressively worldwide, with concomitant increases in the ultra-processed food consumption. Recent studies have suggested that the high consumption of ultra-processed foods renders nutritionally unbalanced diets and are associated with higher risks of obesity in all ages, hypertension in adults, metabolic syndrome in adolescents, and dyslipidaemias in children. However, few studies have assessed the impact of food processing on UK diet. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the consumption of ultraprocessed foods throughout the day and by age group using data from a representative sample of the UK population aged 1.5 years or over. This study is part of the UK module of the thematic project "Consumption of ultra-processed foods, dietary nutrient profile and obesity in seven countries". The data will come from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS 2008-2014). Food items will be classified as ultra-processed when they refer to industrial formulations made of substances extracted from foods or synthetized from food substrates or other organic sources, with no or little whole food, as defined by NOVA classification. The relative contribution of ultra-processed food to the total energy intake will be described throughout the day and by age groups.