Research highlights potential dangers of excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods by children.
"According to Dr. Stuart Berger, a pediatric cardiologist and the chair of the section of cardiology and cardiac surgery for the American Academy of Pediatrics, some things that adults struggle with often begin in childhood." The study, which was published in JAMA Network Open on Friday, examined data from approximately 1,400 children aged 3 to 6 drawn from schools in seven Spanish cities. Caregivers interacted with researchers personally and filled out questionnaires at home regarding the kids' exercise habits, diet, and demographics between 2019 and 2022, as specified in the study.
The study divided the information from the children into three categories according to the quantity of ultraprocessed food they consumed. The kids who ate the most ultraprocessed foods had elevated risk factors such as a higher BMI, higher systolic blood pressure, and a higher waist-to-height ratio.
Ultraprocessed foods are defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as those that contain components "seldom used in home cooking or classes of additives with the purpose of enhancing the product's flavor or appearance." These components can be found in things like colas, chips, canned soups, chicken nuggets, and ice cream and include things like preservatives against mold or bacteria, artificial coloring, emulsifiers that prevent separation, and added or altered sugar, salt, and fats to make the food more appealing.
"Americans consume ultraprocessed meals every day," said Dr. Andrew Freeman, the director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver. He was not part of the study. In a study released on May 8th, a group of Americans consumed at least three servings of ultraprocessed food a day, with another group eating an average of seven servings daily, according to the report.
While the study is observational, meaning it can identify connections between ultraprocessed meal consumption by youngsters and health issues, it cannot prove causality, as Dr. Berger pointed out. However, it's crucial to be cautious of ultraprocessed food consumption among youth since their diets later in life are greatly influenced by their early nutritional experiences.
"From the beginning, people who eat in a specific way or whose moms eat in a certain way while pregnant set up a child's preferences," explained Freeman. "There are a lot of publications out there demonstrating that what we eat early in life not only sets the stage for what happens later but also affects their growth and development."
It is more straightforward to change a child's diet away from ultraprocessed foods and toward more fresh alternatives when they are younger.
"The issue is that avoiding ultraprocessed meals is not equally simple for everyone," Freeman said. "In places where gaining access to fresh food is harder, ultraprocessed meals are more available and less pricey. Ultraprocessed meals are also ultra-convenient, making it simple for parents to choose them when their kids are not hungry." However, giving children ultraprocessed meals without any fresh fruits or vegetables sets them up for challenges down the road, Freeman stressed. "It's essential to introduce more nutritious foods and encourage physical activity as much as possible from the start." Berger agreed, adding, "If you can form healthy habits early, there's a good possibility that you can reduce the likelihood of metabolic illnesses like diabetes and obesity later in life."
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"Promoting wellness in children's diets is crucial, given the potential risks associated with excessive consumption of ultraprocessed foods."
"Encouraging a diet rich in fresh foods and limiting ultraprocessed meals can contribute to better wellness and health outcomes for children, according to Dr. Freeman."
Source: edition.cnn.com
