High ultra processed food Consumption in Children Linked to Increased Cardiometabolic Risk: JAMA

While the association between high UPF intake and elevated cardiometabolic risk in adults is well-established, there has been limited evidence regarding its effects on children. The CORALS study aimed to bridge this gap by investigating the relationship between UPF consumption and various health parameters in preschool children.

This analysis used data from CORALS participants recruited between March 22, 2019, and June 30, 2022. The study included preschool children aged 3-6 years from schools and centers in seven cities across Spain. Eligible participants had to provide informed consent signed by parents or caregivers and complete questionnaires about the child’s prenatal history. Exclusion criteria included low Spanish language proficiency and unstable residence.

UPF consumption was measured using energy-adjusted grams per day from food frequency questionnaires, classified according to the NOVA food classification system. The study focused on age- and sex-specific z scores of adiposity parameters (BMI, fat mass index, waist-to-height ratio, and waist circumference) and cardiometabolic parameters (diastolic and systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, HDL, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides). Linear regression models estimated these outcomes.

Out of 1509 enrolled participants, 1426 children (mean age 5.8 years; 49% boys) were included in the analysis. Mothers of children with high UPF consumption tended to be younger, had higher BMIs, and were more likely to be overweight or obese, with lower education levels and employment rates.

• Children in the highest tertile of energy-adjusted UPF consumption had higher z scores for BMI (β coefficient, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.05-0.35), waist circumference (β coefficient, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.05-0.35), fat mass index (β coefficient, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.00-0.32), and fasting plasma glucose (β coefficient, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.06-0.37).

• These children also had lower z scores for HDL cholesterol (β coefficient, -0.19; 95% CI, -0.36 to -0.02).

• One-SD increments in energy-adjusted UPF consumption were associated with higher z scores for BMI (β coefficient, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.05-0.17), waist circumference (β coefficient, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.02-0.15), fat mass index (β coefficient, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.04-1.18), and fasting plasma glucose (β coefficient, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03-0.17), and lower HDL cholesterol (β coefficient, -0.07; 95% CI, -0.15 to -0.00).

• Substituting 100 grams of UPFs with unprocessed or minimally processed foods was linked to lower z scores for BMI (β coefficient, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.06 to -0.01), fat mass index (β coefficient, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.06 to 0.00), and fasting plasma glucose (β coefficient, -0.04; 95% CI, -0.07 to -0.01).

The study indicates a clear association between high UPF consumption and increased cardiometabolic risks in young children. The findings suggest that reducing UPF intake and replacing it with unprocessed or minimally processed foods can positively impact children's health. These results underscore the importance of dietary guidelines and public health initiatives to reduce UPF consumption in children to mitigate long-term health risks.

High consumption of UPFs in preschool children is significantly associated with higher adiposity and adverse cardiometabolic risk factors. Public health policies should promote healthier dietary patterns among young children to improve their long-term health outcomes.

Reference:

Khoury, N., Martínez, M. Á., Garcidueñas-Fimbres, T. E., Pastor-Villaescusa, B., Leis, R., de Las Heras-Delgado, S., Miguel-Berges, M. L., Navas-Carretero, S., Portoles, O., Pérez-Vega, K. A., Jurado-Castro, J. M., Vázquez-Cobela, R., Mimbrero, G., Andía Horno, R., Martínez, J. A., Flores-Rojas, K., Picáns-Leis, R., Luque, V., Moreno, L. A., … Babio, N. (2024). Ultraprocessed food consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors in children. JAMA Network Open, 7(5), e2411852. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.11852