سامانه کنگره های دانشگاه علوم پزشکی و خدمات بهداشتی و درمانی آذربایجان غربی

صفحه اصلی / بیستمین همایش سالیانه بیماری های شایع گوارش و کبد کودکان ایران و دومین همایش بین المللی چاقی کودکان

Ultra processed food and children obesity: A review

نویسندگان :

Kosar Rajabi¹ Faezeh Ghalichi² Sadra Khodaei Alamdari³

1- دانشکده‌ علوم پزشکی مراغه 2- دانشکده‌ علوم پزشکی مراغه 3- دانشکده علوم پزشکی مراغه

کلمات کلیدی :

Ultra processed food،Children،Obesity،Childhood

چکیده :

Abstract: Background and aim: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) 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. Childhood is a critical period for susceptibility to malnutrition. The consumption of UPFs has been increasing among children, and its association with risk of obesity has not been thoroughly assessed. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between UPF intake and overweight/obesity and malnutrition in children. Method: A review study design was employed on 12 related articles after searching through the PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science databased until march 2025. The following keywords were used for literature search in order to assess the relationship between UPFs consumption and obesity risk among children: ultra-processed food, obesity, children, childhood. Result: Findings suggested that consistent intake of ultra-processed foods over time affects nutritional status and body composition among children. Inconclusive and heterogeneous evidence exists as few cohort studies found positive/mixed associations between UPF consumption and excess adiposity in pediatric populations, whereas most cross-sectional studies reported null associations. Such inconsistencies may be attributed to underlying methodological issues, especially heterogeneity in the outcomes assessed and UPF consumption operationalization and/or categorization. Conclusion: Children’s dietary patterns have shifted toward high UPF intake, and considering the inconsistences in its relationship with obesity and the uncertain underlining mechanisms, further studies are warranted. Therefore, future studies should adopt longitudinal designs with sufficiently extended follow-up periods, while assessing relevant confounding factors, employing validated and standardized measurement tools in order to assess dietary exposure, ensure consistent operationalization of variables, and encompass diverse geographic contexts.