From Dearth to Excess: The Rise of Obesity in an Ultra-Processed Food System DOI Open Access
Kevin D. Hall

Published: May 22, 2023

More people around the world now have obesity than suffer from starvation thanks to our modern food system. Agriculture was transformed over 20th century by a variety of technological advancements that relied heavily on fossil fuels. In United States America, government policies and economic incentives led surplus production cheap inputs processed industries produced wide marketed, convenient, rewarding, timesaving, relatively inexpensive ultra-processed foods. The energy available in supply increased much more population needs, albeit with large inequities distribution nutrition security. While most rise per capita availability during late early 21st centuries resulted waste, mechanisms been proposed which changes increasingly environment excess intake disproportionately genetically susceptible obesity. As populations continue grow, substantial investments coordinated agricultural research are needed transform current system one relies less fuels, preserves biodiversity, ensures environmental health, provides equitable access affordable, safe, nutritious reduces prevalence chronic diseases like

Language: Английский

Benefits and challenges of food processing in the context of food systems, value chains and sustainable development goals DOI Creative Commons
Martin Michel, Alison L. Eldridge, Christoph Hartmann

et al.

Trends in Food Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 153, P. 104703 - 104703

Published: Sept. 7, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

22
From dearth to excess: the rise of obesity in an ultra-processed food system DOI
Kevin D. Hall

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 378(1885)

Published: July 24, 2023

More people now have obesity than suffer from starvation thanks to our modern food system. Agriculture was transformed over the 20th century by a variety of technological advancements that relied heavily on fossil fuels. In United States, government policies and economic incentives led surplus production cheap inputs processed industries produced wide marketed, convenient, rewarding, timesaving, relatively inexpensive ultra-processed foods. The energy available in supply increased much more population needs, albeit with large inequities nutrition security. While most rise per capita availability during late early 21st centuries States resulted waste, mechanisms been proposed which changes increasingly environment excess intake disproportionately genetically susceptible obesity. As populations continue grow, substantial investments coordinated agricultural research are needed transform current system one relies less fuels, preserves biodiversity, ensures environmental health, provides equitable access affordable, safe nutritious reduces prevalence chronic diet-related diseases like This article is part discussion meeting issue ‘Causes obesity: theories, conjectures evidence (Part I)’.

Language: Английский

Citations

21
How do we differentiate not demonise – Is there a role for healthier processed foods in an age of food insecurity? Proceedings of a roundtable event DOI
S. Lockyer, A. Spiro, Sarah Berry

et al.

Nutrition Bulletin, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 48(2), P. 278 - 295

Published: May 10, 2023

Abstract The ‘ultra‐processed food’ (UPF) concept, with classification of foods by ‘level processing’ rather than nutrient profiles, and its relationship health outcomes, is currently a topic debate among academics increasingly referred to in the media. British Nutrition Foundation convened virtual roundtable on 6th July 2022 gather views use term (and current definitions of) UPF for public messaging, seeking establish areas consensus disagreement identify topics further research. A small group invited expert stakeholders attended, including representatives from academia, policy, behavioural science, communications, health, food retail consumer interests. Participants' discussions clustered into cogent themes which included: problems UPF, lack causal evidence defined mechanisms linking processing per se poor advice that may result confusion. There was agreement many classified as are high fat, sugars and/or salt messages should continue focus reducing these diet since it unclear whether reported associations between intakes reflect poorer dietary patterns (defined intakes), nutrient‐health relationships well established. Examples misalignment were also highlighted (i.e. some yet recommended food‐based guidelines [featuring healthy patterns]). This raises challenges communication around UPF. Concern expressed about potential unintended consequences, particularly vulnerable groups, where avoid could create stigma guilt due time or facilities prepare cook meals scratch. It impact intakes, represent more affordable sources important nutrients (e.g. packaged wholemeal bread). Discordance concept strategies improve such reformulation, discussed. concluded UK policy guidelines) would be unhelpful at present. Overall, participants felt providing practical selection healthier processed making accessible promoting avoidance latter act demonise all definitions, nutrient‐dense foods.

Language: Английский

Citations

20
Food processing: Legacy, significance and challenges DOI
Dietrich Knorr

Trends in Food Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 143, P. 104270 - 104270

Published: Nov. 20, 2023

Language: Английский

Citations

18
Toward a science-based classification of processed foods to support meaningful research and effective health policies DOI Creative Commons
Paula R. Trumbo, Rachel Bleiweiss-Sande,

Jessica K. Campbell

et al.

Frontiers in Nutrition, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: July 3, 2024

Processed foods have been part of the American diet for decades, with key roles in providing a safe, available, affordable, and nutritious food supply. The USDA Food Guides beginning 1916 US Dietary Guidelines Americans (DGA) since 1980 included various types commonly consumed processed (e.g., heated, fermented, dried) as their recommendations. However, there are multiple classification systems based on “level” processing, additional evidence is needed to establish specific properties classified “highly” or “ultra”-processed (HPF/UPFs). Importantly, many captured under HPF/UPF definitions, ranging from ready-to-eat fortified whole grain breakfast cereals sugar-sweetened beverages baked goods. consequences implementing dietary guidance limit all intake currently may require scrutiny evaluate impact consumers’ ability meet daily nutrient recommendations access affordable food, ultimately, health outcomes. Based meeting held by Institute Advancement Nutrition Sciences May 2023, this paper provides perspectives broad array HPF/UPFs processing formulation, including contributions patterns, acceptability, cost. Characteristics UPF/HPFs considered, safety approval additives effect matrix. Finally, identifies information gaps research needs better understand how affects nutrition

Language: Английский

Citations

9
Ultra‐processed vegan foods: Healthy alternatives to animal‐source foods or avoidable junk? DOI Creative Commons
Mario Estévez, Álvaro Arjona‐Sánchez, Guadalupe Sánchez-Terrón

et al.

Journal of Food Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 89(11), P. 7008 - 7021

Published: Oct. 8, 2024

Abstract Animal‐source foods (ASFs), namely, meat, milk, eggs, and derived products, are crucial components of a well‐balanced diet owing to their contribution with multiple essential nutrients. The benefits the consumption ASFs in terms hedonic responses, emotional well‐being, mood also widely documented. However, an increasing share consumers decide exclude from diets. Some these vegan inclined consume so‐called “meat” and/or “dairy analogs,” which produced plant materials (soy, wheat, oat, among others). In order simulate appearance, texture, flavor ASFs, industrial designed using intricate formulation processing, justifies identification as ultraprocessed (UPFs). While introduction processed products is becoming popular developed countries, consequences sustained intake on human health mostly ignored. Contrarily common belief, emphasizes role “healthy” alternatives plant‐based UPFs may enclose certain threats, reviewed present paper. remarkable differences between genuine (meat/dairy products) sensory, nutritional, hedonic, or perspectives precludes designation former analogs latter. Understanding basis would contribute (i) providing grounds make reasoned decisions meat/dairy (ii) food companies strategies produce more appealing, nutritive, healthy industrially products.

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Ultra‐processed foods: Processing versus formulation DOI Creative Commons
Allen S. Levine, Job Ubbink

Obesity Science & Practice, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9(4), P. 435 - 439

Published: Dec. 31, 2022

The four-tiered NOVA food classification defines foods based on their degree of processing and ranges from native unprocessed to so-called "ultra-processed" foods. Recent publications have suggested that classified as ultra-processed are unhealthy contribute the obesity epidemic. It is important distinguish between formulation a food. In most cases it more than results in not recommended part healthy diet. Such "ultra-formulated" because they high added sugar other caloric sweeteners, refined flours saturated fats salt increase palatability. understanding distinct will assist health professionals identifying types overconsumption obesity. furthermore help destigmatize technology promote discussions amongst professionals, scientists, corporate government officials general public. Novel techniques urgently needed times population growth, climate change war-induced shortages.

Language: Английский

Citations

21
Consumer Awareness, Perceptions and Avoidance of Ultra-Processed Foods: A Study of UK Adults in 2024 DOI Creative Commons
Eric Robinson, Jenna R. Cummings, Thomas Gough

et al.

Foods, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(15), P. 2317 - 2317

Published: July 23, 2024

Ultra-processed food (UPF) is currently not included in most countries' dietary guidance. However, there may be growing public interest and consumer avoidance of UPF due to media reporting studies on the negative health outcomes associated with UPFs. We surveyed 2386 UK adults (M age = 45 years, 50% female) during February-April 2024. Participants completed measures awareness term UPF, whether status foods affects their decision-making, confidence identifying categorised a list 10 (5 UPFs 5 non-UPFs) as vs. not, before rating information about linking worse impacts affect acts deterrent consuming Most participants (73%) were aware 58% reported that choices are determined by they believe ultra-processed or not. highest income education levels likely report both being of, and, avoiding could accurately categorise Some sociodemographic groups (e.g., higher levels) more but also incorrectly non-UPFs tended UPF-health risk increases In this study, large number This was particularly pronounced among those levels.

Language: Английский

Citations

4
Nova fails to appreciate the value of plant‐based meat and dairy alternatives in the diet DOI Creative Commons
Mark Messina, Virginia Messina

Journal of Food Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 90(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Abstract Processed foods play an important role in achieving both food and nutrition security. However, recent years, there has been increased concern about the health effects of processing, large part because emergence Nova classification system. classifies all into one four groups purportedly based entirely on extent to which they have processed. Recommendations limit intake ultra‐processed (UPF) (group 4) are primarily observational studies showing that their is associated with a range adverse outcomes. Nearly plant milks entire new generation plant‐based meat alternatives (PBMAs), made using concentrated sources protein, classified as UPFs. This may deter public from consuming professionals recommending these products even though represent convenient way increase protein high‐income countries, recommended by authorities. although total UPF outcomes, this not case for many subcategories Furthermore, instances, clinical research shows PBMAs beneficial relative animal‐based counterparts (Group 1). Collectively, evidence leads two conclusions. First, viable approach lowering dietary animal ratio. Second, paints too broad brush insufficiently nuanced serve guide purchasing decisions distract consumers focusing importance nutrient content.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Decrypting the messages in the matrix: The proceedings of a symposium on dairy food matrix science and public health opportunities DOI Creative Commons
Kevin Comerford, Allison L. Unger, Christopher J. Cifelli

et al.

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 14

Published: March 3, 2025

Although food matrix research is still in its infancy, there an emerging understanding of the important role on human nutrition and physiology, as well for public health. This has largely been propelled forward by involving different milk dairy matrices which revealed that addition to their distinct array nutrients bioactive compounds, foods also contain complex microstructures act nutrient delivery systems set them apart from other groups. Due these properties, may be uniquely positioned help Americans meet many health needs. The aim this manuscript describe activities findings a National Dairy Council-sponsored symposium focused connecting science with opportunities improving proceedings paper summarizes communicates presentations panel discussions, key insights, next steps leverage evidence (e.g., milk, yogurt, cheese) develop science-backed strategies support equity.

Language: Английский

Citations

0