Ultra‐processed food consumption and overweight in children, adolescents and young adults: Long‐term data from the Kiel Obesity Prevention Study (KOPS)
Authors' conclusion
High UPF consumption in young adults was associated with both prevalence and incidence of overweight from childhood and adolescence to adulthood.
Study context
- Population
- Children/adolescents followed to young adulthood in the Kiel Obesity Prevention Study (KOPS, n = 10,750); mean age 13.1 ± 1.9 years at baseline, 26.7 ± 2.2 years as young adultsKOPS subsample
- Participants
- 182 participants
- Exposure
- Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption vs overweight and weight trends
- Outcome
- UPF-based dietary pattern vs BMI-SDS and fat mass index in children/adolescents
- Follow-up
- Childhood/adolescence
Methodological detailslongitudinal, long-term follow-up (13.3 years)
- Longitudinal
- Long-term follow-up (13.3 years)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
childhood/adolescence
Males: inverse correlation with BMI-SDS
r = −0.301
p = 0.01
Males: inverse correlation with fat mass index
r = −0.376
p = 0.001
Females: inverse correlation with BMI-SDS
r = −0.315
p < 0.001
Females: inverse correlation with fat mass index
r = −0.282
p = 0.003
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Tracking of UPF consumption from childhood/adolescence to adulthood
- Females: correlated
- r = 0.272; p = 0.004
- Males: not correlated
UPF consumption in young adults · young adulthood
- Share of daily energy intake from UPF
- nearly 50%
- Higher with overweight vs normal weight and in incident overweight vs persistent normal weight
- both p < 0.05
Diet quality with high UPF consumption
- Lower fibre intake, higher salt and energy-dense food intake
- all p < 0.05
Original publication
Ultra‐processed food consumption and overweight in children, adolescents and young adults: Long‐term data from the Kiel Obesity Prevention Study (KOPS). Pediatr Obes. Published 2 December 2024. doi:10.
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