Young people in the UK get up to 66 per cent of their calorie requirements from junk food, new research shows.New analysis of data from UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey has found that adolescents consume around two-thirds of their daily calories through eating ultra-processed foods (UPFS).
Led by scientists from the Universities of Cambridge and Bristol, the new study shows that UPF consumption was highest among adolescents from deprived backgrounds, those of white ethnicity, and younger adolescents.
Adolescence is defined by the ages from 10 to 19 years-old, according to the World Health Organization.Ultra-processed foods include those manufactured at an industrial level and contain artificial additives like colourings, sweeteners, preservatives and emulsifiers.
UPFS range from, but are not limited to soft drinks, powdered meals, mass produced baked goods, spreads & margarines, ready meals and sweetened cereals.The nutrition of UPFS vary widely but are often poor in dietary quality with higher levels of added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium, as well as decreased fibre, protein, and micronutrient content.
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