Amount of Consumed Calories in U.S. Predominantly Derives from Ultra-Processed Foods, According to CDC Study
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a new report shedding light on the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among Americans. The report reveals a decline in UPF consumption among youth and adults between 2017-2018 and August 2021-August 2023.
According to the CDC, UPFs accounted for 55% of total calories consumed in individuals aged one and older during the latter period. Among the top UPFs consumed are savory snacks, pizza, sweetened beverages, mass-produced breads, rolls, and tortillas, as well as sandwiches, including burgers, and sweet bakery products.
Interestingly, children ages 6-11 consumed the highest percentage of UPFs, with 64.8% of their calories coming from these types of foods. Youths between the ages of 12-18 followed closely behind, with 63% of their calories from UPFs. The consumption of UPFs decreases with age, with 54.4% for adults aged 19-39, 52.6% for adults aged 40-59, and 51.7% for adults 60 and older.
The CDC's report comes a few months after the release of the MAHA report, which addressed UPFs and childhood obesity. The decline in UPF consumption among youth and adults may be a positive step towards addressing these health concerns.
The Nova classification system is a widely recognized system for categorizing food processing, particularly ultra-processed foods. Developed originally by Brazilian scientists, this system identifies UPFs by their use of industrial ingredients not typically found in home cooking, advanced industrial processing technologies, and sophisticated packaging that produce highly palatable and convenient products.
The Nova system categorizes foods into four groups: unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods (UPFs). UPFs are defined not only by extensive industrial processing but also by having ingredients and additives rare in domestic cooking.
However, the Nova classification system has been controversial since it first emerged due to its vagueness regarding what "processed" and "ultra-processed" mean. There are concerns that healthy foods could potentially get labeled as UPFs due to the system's vagueness.
Despite these criticisms, the Nova system serves as both an academic framework and a practical tool for public health policy. Efforts to establish an updated system for classifying foods are underway, with the Novo Nordisk Foundation and University of Copenhagen leading the charge.
Notably, UPF consumption was lower in respondents with the highest family income than those in lower income brackets. This finding underscores the importance of affordable, nutritious food options for all Americans.
As the understanding of UPFs and their impact on public health continues to evolve, it is crucial that policy makers, researchers, and the public remain informed and engaged in discussions surrounding food classification and consumption.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has displayed a decline in the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among youth and adults from 2017-2018 to August 2021-August 2023.
- Among top UPFs consumed are savory snacks, pizza, sweetened beverages, mass-produced breads, and sweet bakery products.
- Children ages 6-11 consumed the highest percentage of UPFs, with 64.8% of their calories coming from these types of foods.
- The Nova classification system is a commonly used system for categorizing food processing, particularly ultra-processed foods.
- The Nova system identifies UPFs by their use of industrial ingredients not typically found in home cooking, advanced industrial processing technologies, and sophisticated packaging.
- UPFs are defined by extensive industrial processing and having ingredients and additives rare in domestic cooking.
- The Nova classification system has been controversial due to its vagueness regarding processed and ultra-processed foods.
- There are concerns that healthy foods may get labeled as UPFs due to the system's vagueness.
- Despite the criticisms, the Nova system serves as both an academic framework and a practical tool for public health policy.
- UPF consumption was lower in respondents with the highest family income than in lower income brackets, highlighting the importance of affordable, nutritious food options for all Americans.
- As understanding of UPFs and their impact on public health evolves, it's important for policy makers, researchers, and the public to stay informed and engaged in discussions surrounding food classification and consumption.
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation and University of Copenhagen are leading efforts to establish an updated system for classifying foods.
