Ultra‐processed food consumption and overweight in children, adolescents and young adults: Long‐term data from the Kiel Obesity Prevention Study (KOPS)

Abstract

SummaryObjectiveThe aim was to assess ultra‐processed food (UPF) consumption, its impact on overweight and its association with weight trends from childhood and adolescence to young adulthood.MethodsLong‐term UPF consumption (13.3 years) by NOVA was analysed (children/adolescents and adults, n = 182) in the Kiel Obesity Prevention Study (KOPS, n = 10 750).ResultsIn children/adolescents (13.1 ± 1.9 years), a UPF‐based dietary pattern showed an inverse association with BMI‐SDS and fat mass index (males: r = −0.301, p = 0.01; r = −0.376, p = 0.001; females: r = −0.315, p < 0.001; r = −0.282, p = 0.003). Longitudinal analysis indicated that UPF consumption in childhood and adolescence was correlated with UPF consumption in adulthood among females (r = 0.272; p = 0.004) but not among males. In young adults (26.7 ± 2.2 years), UPF consumption accounted for nearly 50% of daily energy intake and was higher with overweight compared to normal weight and in incident overweight compared to persistent normal weight (both p < 0.05). High UPF consumption was associated with markers of poor diet quality (lower intake of fibre, higher intake of salt and energy‐dense food, all p < 0.05).ConclusionsHigh UPF consumption in young adults was associated with both prevalence and incidence of overweight from childhood and adolescence to adulthood.