NAIROBI, Kenya- The ultra-processed foods your kids eat now could be putting them at risk for serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes when they grow up, according to a new study.
“Many adult health problems likely start early in life,” said Dr. Stuart Berger, a pediatric cardiologist and chair of the section of cardiology and cardiac surgery for the American Academy of Pediatrics. He wasn’t involved in the study but emphasized its importance.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the study analyzed data from over 1,400 kids aged 3 to 6 from schools in seven Spanish cities. From 2019 to 2022, caregivers met with researchers and filled out questionnaires on their kids’ physical activity, food consumption, and demographics.
Researchers divided the kids into three groups based on how much ultraprocessed food they ate. The study found that kids who ate the most ultraprocessed foods were more likely to have higher body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, and waist-to-height ratio—key risk factors for future health problems.
Ultraprocessed foods are packed with ingredients “never or rarely used in kitchens” and additives designed to make products tastier and longer-lasting, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
These ingredients are common in sodas, chips, packaged soups, chicken nuggets, and ice cream and can include preservatives, artificial colors, emulsifiers, and added sugars, salts, and fats.
A study published on May 8 showed that a group of Americans ate at least three servings of ultra processed food daily, with some averaging seven servings a day.
While many studies have highlighted the negative health effects of ultra-processed foods in adults, this new study is among the first to show their impact on young children.
