Ultra-processed foods: Consumption among children at day-care centers and their classification according to Traffic Light Labelling system

Abstract

Objective: To identify the age at which ultra-processed foods are introduced in the diet of infants enrolled in public daycare centers and analyze these foods' nutritional composition according to the Traffic Light Labelling system adapted to the Brazilian norms and recommendations.Methods: Cross-sectional study including 636 nursery age children attending day care centers. Their mothers were interviewed about the age of introduction of instant noodles, snack chips, encased meat, chocolate, ice cream, and stuffed cookies. The proximate composition of these foods was evaluated according to the Traffic Light Labelling adapted to the Brazilian norms and recommendations, which classifies total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, fiber, and sodium amounts as green, yellow, or red indicators.Results: It was found that before 12 months of age 70.6% of children had consumed instant noodles, 65.9% snack chips, 54.7% encased meat, 67.1% chocolate, 36.9% ice cream, and 68.7% stuffed cookies. In addition, all foods were classified as red for saturated fat and sodium and 50.0% were classified as red for total fat.Conclusion: The introduction of ultra-processed foods in the children's diets occurred early, but it is worth mentioning that such foods have an inadequate nutritional composition, contributing to the excess consumption of total fat, saturated fat, and sodium, as well as low fiber.

Estimation of iron deficiency anemia in Iranian children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The report form world health organization also indicates the highest prevalence of anemia is among the children in their preschool age up to 47.7% [52]. The need for Iron is high in this age period but their intake specially with this pandemics of junk foods is low [53]. It is also postulated that in the age group of under 6 years, iron absorption from the diet is lower compared to the 6-18 years age group [54].…”

Associação Entre O Nível Insuficiente De Atividade Física, Fatores Psicossociais E Hábitos Alimentares Em Adolescentes/ Association Between Insufficient Level of Physical Activity, Psychosocial Factors and Eating Habits in Adolescents

“…Em relação aos hábitos alimentares, foi encontrado associação do NIAF ao baixo consumo de frutas mais verduras nos jovens de ambos os sexos. Como isso, percebe-se que esses adolescentes não possuem um estilo de vida saudável evidenciando a suposição que estão ligados a outros comportamentos inadequados à saúde (13), por exemplo, sedentarismo (27), consumo excessivo de alimentos gordurosos (28), doces(29) e ultraprocessados (30).…”

Ultra-Processed Food Intake and Associations With Demographic Factors in Young New Zealand Children

“…2,3 However, other researchers have identified that the nutrient content of highly processed foods varies widely, 4 and that nutrientdense foods can be found at all levels of processing, 5 indicating that food choices within categories may be important. 4 Limited research to date has indicated that even very young children consume some UPF in infancy 6,7 and early childhood, 8 potentially in substantial amounts. For example, data from Brazil, a developing country where dietary guidelines are aligned with avoiding UPF items, 9 indicates that preschoolers obtain as much as 41.8% of their daily energy from UPF.…”