Open Access News Health & Social Care Toddlers in the UK consuming high levels of ultra-processed foods October 7, 2024 image: ©miniseries | iStock A study led by researchers from University College London reveals concerning trends in the diets of toddlers and young children in the UK, with findings suggesting that a significant portion of their daily calorie intake comes from ultra-processed foods (UPFs) Published in the European Journal of Nutrition, the study tracked the eating habits of 2,591 children born in 2007 and 2008, showing the nutritional landscape from infancy to early childhood. Key findings and concerns According to the study, toddlers as young as 21 months consume nearly half of their daily calories from UPFs. By the age of seven, this figure jumps to 59%.
Ultra-processed foods commonly consumed by these young children include flavoured yoghurts and wholegrain breakfast cereals, often perceived as healthy choices by parents. However, the study shows that these products can contain high levels of added sugars and salts, contributing to concerns about excessive intake of these ingredients among toddlers. Lead author Dr.
Rana Conway from UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care emphasised that while not all UPFs are inherently bad, their high consumption in early childhood could set troubling dietary patterns. “Aside from sugar and salt, a diet that includes a lot of ultra-processed food is less likely to get children used to the natural flavours of wh.
