Study Reveals UK Adolescents Rely Heavily on Ultra-Processed Foods

Research shows two-thirds of daily calorie intake comes from UPFs, with higher consumption among disadvantaged and white youths.

Ultra-processed foods account for 66% of adolescents' daily energy intake, according to a decade-long study.
Higher UPF consumption is linked to poorer nutritional value and increased health risks such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Adolescents from deprived backgrounds and white ethnicities consume more UPFs compared to their peers.
The study found a slight decrease in UPF intake from 68% to 63% over ten years, possibly due to health campaigns and sugar taxes.
Researchers call for effective policies to address the dominance of UPFs in young people's diets and its public health impact.