Overview
- Researchers analyzed nearly 2,100 Canadian preschoolers, recording diets at age 3 and assessing behavior at age 5 using the Child Behavior Checklist.
- Higher ultraprocessed calorie share correlated with more anxiety, fear, aggression and hyperactivity, with scores rising for each 10% increase.
- Sugary and artificially sweetened beverages, along with ready-to-eat or heat items such as packaged snacks, instant macaroni and cheese and frozen meals, showed the strongest links.
- Replacing 10% of ultraprocessed calories with minimally processed foods like whole fruits and vegetables was associated with lower behavioral risk.
- Findings report an observational association rather than causation, as authors urge limiting ultraprocessed products in preschool diets given high intake levels in Canada (about half of calories) and Brazil (roughly 25%–30%).