On February 5, 2025, a study revealed that kids who consume a lot of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) may be at risk for obesity, especially boys. This research, published in JAMA Network Open, sheds light on the impact of diet during early childhood.
Led by Zheng Hao Chen from the University of Toronto, the study explored how UPF intake relates to body fat indicators in Canadian children. It included 2,217 participants from the CHILD Cohort Study and measured their body fat at age 5.
The findings showed that boys who ate more UPFs at age 3 tended to have higher body fat measures by age 5. Specifically, for every 10% increase in energy from UPFs in boys, there were increases in body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratios, as well as greater skinfold thickness in certain areas. These boys were also more likely to be classified as overweight or obese. Unfortunately, the study did not find similar patterns in girls.
The researchers believe these insights can help guide public health efforts. Teaching parents about the risks of high UPF intake might be key in preventing obesity and health issues later on.
For more details, you can check the full study here.