Toddlers in the United Kingdom obtain nearly half their calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFs), according to a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
According to the study, 47% of the calorie intake in toddlers’ diets consisted of UPFs, rising to 59% at the age of 7.
Toddlers who consumed the least amount of UPFs still had it in 28% of their calorie intake.
The study, led by University College London (UCL), analyzed data from 2,591 children born in the U.K. in 2007 and 2008. The parents recorded what their children consumed over three days.
The most common UPF consumed by the children, who were 21 months at the time of the recordings, were flavored yogurt and whoegrain breakfast cereals.
By the time the children were 7-years-old, the most common UPF consumed were sweet cereals, white bread, and puddings.
Dr. Rana Conway of the UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care and lead author of the study, said the findings are “concerning, especially as toddlers in general consume more added sugar and salt than is recommended.”
Senior author Professor Clare Llewellyn, of the UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, said, “Eating patterns in the early years are important, as they help set habits that can persist through childhood and into adulthood. This was reflected in our findings, with 21-month-olds who ate more ultra-processed foods also likely to be higher consumers of ultra-processed foods at the age of seven.”
