Consumption of ultra-processed foods and likely impact on human health. Evidence from Canada

Public Health Nutrition

Geoffrey Cannon¹  Renata Bertazzi Levy¹  Rafael Moreira Claro¹  Carlos Augusto Monteiro¹  Jean-Claude Moubarac¹  Ana Paula Bortoletto Martins¹ 

关键词: Ultra-processed foods;    Nutrition;    Diet;    Food classification;    Obesity;   

DOI  :  10.1017/S1368980012005009

学科分类：卫生学

来源: Cambridge University Press

【 摘 要 】

ObjectiveTo investigate consumption of ultra-processed products in Canada and to assess their association with dietary quality.DesignApplication of a classification of foodstuffs based on the nature, extent and purpose of food processing to data from a national household food budget survey. Foods are classified as unprocessed/minimally processed foods (Group 1), processed culinary ingredients (Group 2) or ultra-processed products (Group 3).SettingAll provinces and territories of Canada, 2001.SubjectsHouseholds (n 5643).ResultsFood purchases provided a mean per capita energy availability of 8908 (se 81) kJ/d (2129 (se 19) kcal/d). Over 61·7 % of dietary energy came from ultra-processed products (Group 3), 25·6 % from Group 1 and 12·7 % from Group 2. The overall diet exceeded WHO upper limits for fat, saturated fat, free sugars and Na density, with less fibre than recommended. It also exceeded the average energy density target of the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research. Group 3 products taken together are more fatty, sugary, salty and energy-dense than a combination of Group 1 and Group 2 items. Only the 20 % lowest consumers of ultra-processed products (who consumed 33·2 % of energy from these products) were anywhere near reaching all nutrient goals for the prevention of obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases.ConclusionsThe 2001 Canadian diet was dominated by ultra-processed products. As a group, these products are unhealthy. The present analysis indicates that any substantial improvement of the diet would involve much lower consumption of ultra-processed products and much higher consumption of meals and dishes prepared from minimally processed foods and processed culinary ingredients.

【 授权许可】

Unknown