A new study led by researchers from University College London (UCL) has found that toddlers in the United Kingdom obtain nearly half of their daily calorie intake from ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, analysed data from 2,591 children born in 2007 and 2008.
The research revealed that at 21 months of age, toddlers derived 47% of their calories from UPFs. This percentage increased to 59% by the time children reached seven years old. The most common UPFs consumed by toddlers were flavoured yoghurts and wholegrain breakfast cereals, products often perceived as healthy. By age seven, the most frequently consumed UPFs shifted to sweet cereals, white bread, and puddings.
Dr Rana Conway, the lead author from UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, noted that while not all UPFs are inherently unhealthy, the study found that toddlers consuming more UPFs also had higher intakes of added sugar and salt. This is particularly concerning as toddlers generally consume more added sugar and salt than recommended.
The study also highlighted the persistence of early eating patterns. Children who consumed more UPFs as toddlers were 9.4 times more likely to be in the highest UPF-consuming group at age seven compared to those who consumed the least UPFs as toddlers.
Professor Clare Llewellyn, senior author of the study, underscored the importance of early eating patterns in shaping long-term dietary habits. The researchers called for policies to reduce children’s UPF consumption, such as restricting the promotion of unhealthy foods marketed to children, adding warning labels to high-sugar products, and subsidising fresh and minimally processed foods.
The study’s findings underscore the challenges parents face in providing healthy diets for their children in the current food environment. Dr Conway pointed out that highly processed foods are often cheaper and more readily available than healthier alternatives like fresh fruits and vegetables.
As the research team noted limitations in their study, including an over-representation of white ethnicity and higher socioeconomic status in their sample, further research may be needed to fully understand the impact of UPF consumption across diverse populations in the UK.
