Ultra-processed foods and obesity and adiposity parameters among children and adolescents: a systematic review
De Amicis R, Mambrini SP, Pellizzari M, Foppiani A, Bertoli S, Battezzati A, Leone A
European journal of nutrition · 117 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Systematic review (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
- Intake measured by
- Not stated
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- University or hospital
- Università degli Studi di Milano
Based on 1 listed funder(s) and full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2022-03-24 · Eur J Nutr · vol. 61 · issue 5 · pp. 2297–2311
- Publisher
- Springer Science+Business Media
- Cited
- 180 citations · more than 99% of similar papers · 8.8× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 61 works
- Access
- Open access (hybrid journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
- Keywords
- Environmental health, Obesity, Observational study, Medicine, Food group, Association (psychology), Consumption (sociology), Childhood obesity, Longitudinal study, Food science, Overweight, Psychology, Biology, Endocrinology, Internal medicine
- MeSH
- humans, obesity, diet, prospective studies, cross-sectional studies, energy intake, food handling, adolescent, adult, child, adiposity, fast foods
7 authors
From IT
- Ramona De AmicisUniversity of Milan
- Sara Paola MambriniUniversity of Milan; IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano; Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico
- Marta PellizzariUniversity of Milan
- Andrea FoppianiUniversity of Milan
- Simona BertoliUniversity of Milan; IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano
- Alberto BattezzatiUniversity of Milan
Abstract
Purpose
According to the NOVA classification, ultra-processed foods are products made through physical, biological and chemical processes and typically with multiple ingredients and additives, in which whole foods are mostly or entirely absent. From a nutritional point of view, they are typically energy-dense foods high in fat, sugar, and salt and low in fiber. The association between the consumption of ultra-processed food and obesity and adiposity measurements has been established in adults. However, the situation remains unclear in children and adolescents.
Methods
We carried out a systematic review, in which we summarize observational studies investigating the association between the consumption of ultra-processed food, as defined by NOVA classification, and obesity and adiposity parameters among children and adolescents. A literature search was performed using PUBMED and Web of Science databases for relevant articles published prior to May 2021.
Results
Ten studies, five longitudinal and five cross-sectional, mainly conducted in Brazil, were included in this review. Four longitudinal studies in children with a follow-up longer than 4 years found a positive association between the consumption of ultra-processed food and obesity and adiposity parameters, whereas cross-sectional studies failed to find an association.
Conclusion
These data suggest that a consistent intake of ultra-processed foods over time is needed to impact nutritional status and body composition of children and adolescents. Further well-designed prospective studies worldwide are needed to confirm these findings considering country-related differences in dietary habits and food production technologies.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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