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Costa RM, Oliveira AG, Torres KG, Souza AM, Pereira GS, Bezerra IWL. Quantitative Assessment of the Inadequate Intake of Macronutrients, Minerals, and Vitamins Associated with Ultra-Processed Food Consumption. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:888. [PMID: 39063465 PMCID: PMC11276910 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21070888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Studies indicate that ultra-processed food (UP) consumption correlates negatively with essential vitamin and mineral intake and positively with sodium and lipid intake. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between UP consumption and deviations from nutritional guidelines. An observational, cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on a probability sample of manufacturing workers in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Food consumption was assessed with a 24 h recall survey, and nutrient intake inadequacies were calculated as the difference between individuals' intake of energy, macronutrients, minerals and vitamins, and the dietary reference intakes for individuals of the same sex and age group, and then analyzed for trends across the percentage contribution of UP to total energy intake with nonparametric multiple regression adjusted for covariates. The study included 921 workers from 33 industries, 55.9% male, with a mean age of 32 years. Overall, the study population exhibited deficits in energy, all macronutrients, and in some micronutrients. With increasing UP contribution to total energy intake, there is a trend towards a greater intake of energy (p < 0.001), total, saturated, monounsaturated, and trans fats (p < 0.001), n6-polyunsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.03), carbohydrates (p < 0.001), calcium (p = 0.008), and manganese (p < 0.001), thiamin (p < 0.001), and vitamin B6 (p = 0.01); however, this comes with a negative consequence in terms of reducing the protein consumption (p = 0.037), fiber (p = 0.035), copper (p = 0.033), and vitamin E (p = 0.002) intake. The results show that correcting energy and micronutrient deficiencies by increasing UP consumption can also lead to a decrease in diet quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raiane M. Costa
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil; (R.M.C.); (A.G.O.); (K.G.T.); (A.M.S.); (G.S.P.)
| | - Antonio G. Oliveira
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil; (R.M.C.); (A.G.O.); (K.G.T.); (A.M.S.); (G.S.P.)
- Pharmacy Department, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil
| | - Karina G. Torres
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil; (R.M.C.); (A.G.O.); (K.G.T.); (A.M.S.); (G.S.P.)
| | - Anissa M. Souza
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil; (R.M.C.); (A.G.O.); (K.G.T.); (A.M.S.); (G.S.P.)
| | - Gabriela S. Pereira
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil; (R.M.C.); (A.G.O.); (K.G.T.); (A.M.S.); (G.S.P.)
| | - Ingrid W. L. Bezerra
- Nutrition Department, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
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Wiss DA, LaFata EM. Ultra-Processed Foods and Mental Health: Where Do Eating Disorders Fit into the Puzzle? Nutrients 2024; 16:1955. [PMID: 38931309 PMCID: PMC11206753 DOI: 10.3390/nu16121955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) like pastries, packaged snacks, fast foods, and sweetened beverages have become dominant in the modern food supply and are strongly associated with numerous public health concerns. While the physical health consequences of UPF intake have been well documented (e.g., increased risks of cardiometabolic conditions), less empirical discussion has emphasized the mental health consequences of chronic UPF consumption. Notably, the unique characteristics of UPFs (e.g., artificially high levels of reinforcing ingredients) influence biological processes (e.g., dopamine signaling) in a manner that may contribute to poorer psychological functioning for some individuals. Importantly, gold-standard behavioral lifestyle interventions and treatments specifically for disordered eating do not acknowledge the direct role that UPFs may play in sensitizing reward-related neural functioning, disrupting metabolic responses, and motivating subsequent UPF cravings and intake. The lack of consideration for the influences of UPFs on mental health is particularly problematic given the growing scientific support for the addictive properties of these foods and the utility of ultra-processed food addiction (UPFA) as a novel clinical phenotype endorsed by 14-20% of individuals across international samples. The overarching aim of the present review is to summarize the science of how UPFs may affect mental health, emphasizing contributing biological mechanisms. Specifically, the authors will (1) describe how corporate-sponsored research and financial agendas have contributed to contention and debate about the role of UPFs in health; (2) define UPFs and their nutritional characteristics; (3) review observed associations between UPF intake and mental health conditions, especially with depression; (4) outline the evidence for UPFA; and (5) describe nuanced treatment considerations for comorbid UPFA and eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Wiss
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, 650 Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Nutrition in Recovery LLC, 1902 Westwood Blvd. #201, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA
| | - Erica M. LaFata
- Center for Weight Eating and Lifestyle Science, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
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Russell C, Sievert KE, Dickie S, Machado PP. The use of food processing terminology in Australian news media: a content analysis. Public Health Nutr 2024; 27:e112. [PMID: 38557499 PMCID: PMC11036430 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980024000685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to determine whether ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are being discussed in news media in Australia and whether this terminology, as described in the NOVA system, is being applied accurately. DESIGN Interpretive content analysis of online and print media articles that mentioned UPFs from 2009 to 2023 in Australia. SETTING Australia. PARTICIPANTS Online and print media articles. RESULTS A total of two hundred ninety-eight Australian media articles were captured. A substantial increase in the number of UPF articles was observed between 2017-2019 and 2021-2023. The UPF concept was inaccurately explained or defined in 32 % of the articles and was frequently used interchangeably with other descriptors, such as 'highly or heavily processed food', 'junk food', 'unhealthy food', 'packaged food' and 'discretionary food'. Most of the articles had a health focus; however, sustainability interest increased, particularly in the past 18 months. CONCLUSIONS UPFs are increasingly being discussed in news media in Australia; however, the concept is still incorrectly presented in over a third of articles. This highlights the importance of improving the literacy about UPFs to ensure that messages are communicated in a way that is salient, accessible and accurate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherie Russell
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin
University, Geelong, VIC3125, Australia
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Deakin
University, Geelong, VIC,
Australia
- Healthy Food Systems Australia, Melbourne,
VIC, Australia
| | - Katherine E Sievert
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Deakin
University, Geelong, VIC,
Australia
- Healthy Food Systems Australia, Melbourne,
VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah Dickie
- Healthy Food Systems Australia, Melbourne,
VIC, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Monash
University, Melbourne, VIC,
Australia
| | - Priscila Pereira Machado
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin
University, Geelong, VIC3125, Australia
- Healthy Food Systems Australia, Melbourne,
VIC, Australia
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin
University, Geelong, VIC3125, Australia
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Zhao Y, Chen W, Li J, Yi J, Song X, Ni Y, Zhu S, Zhang Z, Xia L, Zhang J, Yang S, Ni J, Lu H, Wang Z, Nie S, Liu L. Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Mortality: Three Cohort Studies in the United States and United Kingdom. Am J Prev Med 2024; 66:315-323. [PMID: 37690589 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given the increase in ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, their potential health effects have aroused concern. Whether UPF consumption is associated with cancer and cardiovascular disease mortality is debatable. This study evaluates the association of UPF consumption with mortality. METHODS A total of 108,714 U.S. adults from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (1993-2001), 208,051 UK adults from UK Biobank (2006-2010), and 41,070 U.S. adults from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2018) were included. Dietary data were collected by dietary questionnaire and classified using the NOVA classification. UPF consumption was expressed as the weight proportion of UPFs in total foods consumed. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% CIs. Mediation analysis was used to evaluate whether multiple metabolic pathways mediated the associations in UK Biobank. Analyses were performed in 2022-2023. RESULTS Combined analyses of the three cohorts showed that those with the highest quartile of UPF consumption had higher risks of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.11-1.20) and cardiovascular disease mortality (hazard ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06-1.28) compared to the lowest quartile of UPF consumption. UPF consumption was not associated with cancer mortality risk. Biomarkers of liver function have the greatest mediating effects on all-cause mortality (20.3%), and biomarkers of inflammation have the greatest mediating effects on cardiovascular disease mortality (29.2%). CONCLUSIONS Higher UPF consumption was associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality risk, with multiple metabolic pathways playing mediating roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Weiyi Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Jing Yi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Xuemei Song
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yuxin Ni
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Sijia Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Lu Xia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Jia Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Shuaishuai Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Jingjing Ni
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Haojie Lu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Shaofa Nie
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.
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Bellows AC, Raj S, Pitstick E, Potteiger MR, Diemont SAW. Foraging Wild Edibles: Dietary Diversity in Expanded Food Systems. Nutrients 2023; 15:4630. [PMID: 37960283 PMCID: PMC10647252 DOI: 10.3390/nu15214630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Human food foraging in community forests offers extensive and expandable sources of food and high-quality nutrition that support chronic disease prevention and management and are underrepresented in US diets. Despite severe gaps in non-commercial "wild food" data, research in Syracuse, NY, identified substantial amounts of five key antioxidant phytochemicals in locally available, forageable foods with the potential to augment local dietary diversity and quality. Findings endorse the need for micro- and macro-nutrient research on an expanded range of forageable foods, community nutrition education on those foods, an expanded study on antioxidant phytochemical function, and the inclusion of forageables in the food system definition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C. Bellows
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, Falk College, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (S.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Sudha Raj
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, Falk College, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (S.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Ellen Pitstick
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, Falk College, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (S.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Matthew R. Potteiger
- Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA;
| | - Stewart A. W. Diemont
- Department of Environmental Biology, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA;
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Polkinghorne R, Koohmaraie M, Kaster C, Troy D, Rosati A. Challenges and opportunities for defining the role and value of meat for our global society and economy. Anim Front 2023; 13:75-81. [PMID: 37073315 PMCID: PMC10105875 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Koohmaraie
- Meat Division, IEH Laboratories and Consulting Group, Lake Forest Park, WA, United States
| | - Collette Kaster
- American Meat Science Association, Kearney, MO,United States
| | - Declan Troy
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Teagasc – The Irish Agricultural and Food Development Authority, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Andrea Rosati
- EAAP, European Federation of Animal Science, Terni, Italy
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Pereira TN, Bortolini GA, Campos RDF. Barriers and Facilitators Related to the Adoption of Policies to Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods Consumption: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4729. [PMID: 36981638 PMCID: PMC10048733 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Cost-effective regulatory and fiscal interventions are recommended to address non-communicable diseases. While some countries are advancing regarding these actions, others have found it difficult to approve them. AIM to conduct a scoping review to answer the question "What factors have influenced the adoption of food taxes, front-of-pack labeling and restrictions on marketing to children?". METHODS A scoping review was developed from four databases. Studies that described and analyzed policy processes were included. Analysis was performed to identify the barriers and enablers mentioned under the guidance of Swinburn et al., Huang et al., Mialon et al., and Kingdon. RESULTS 168 documents were identified, describing experiences from five regions or groups and 23 countries, which have generated 1584 examples of 52 enablers (689 examples; 43.5%) and 55 barriers (895 examples; 56.5%) that may have influenced policies. The main enablers were related to the government environment and governance and to civil society strategies. Corporate political activity strategies were the main examples of barriers. CONCLUSIONS This scoping review consolidated barriers and facilitators related to policies aimed at reducing ultra-processed foods consumption, demonstrating that factors related to the actions of governments and civil society are the main facilitators. On the other hand, as the most interested actor in promoting the consumption of these products, the strategies adopted by the companies that produce these products constitute the main barrier to these policies in all the studied countries and should be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gisele Ane Bortolini
- Food and Nutrition National Coordination, Ministry of Health, Brasilia 70058-900, Brazil
| | - Roberta de Freitas Campos
- Center for Studies on Bioethics and Diplomacy in Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
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Bennett E, Topp SM, Moodie AR. National Public Health Surveillance of Corporations in Key Unhealthy Commodity Industries - A Scoping Review and Framework Synthesis. Int J Health Policy Manag 2023; 12:6876. [PMID: 37579395 PMCID: PMC10425693 DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2023.6876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corporations in unhealthy commodity industries (UCIs) have growing influence on the health of national populations through practices that lead to increased consumption of unhealthy products. The use of government-led public health surveillance is best practice to better understand any emerging public health threat. However, there is minimal systematic evidence, generated and monitored by national governments, regarding the scope of UCI corporate practices and their impacts. This study aims to synthesise current frameworks that exist to identify and monitor UCI influence on health to highlight the range of practices deployed by corporations and inform future surveillance efforts in key UCIs. METHODS Seven biomedical, business and scientific databases were searched to identify literature focused on corporate practices that impact human health and frameworks for monitoring or assessment of the way UCIs impact health. Content analysis occurred in three phases, involving (1) the identification of framework documents in the literature and extraction of all corporate practices from the frameworks; (2) initial inductive grouping and synthesis followed by deductive synthesis using Lima and Galea's 'vehicles of power' as a heuristic; and (3) scoping for potential indicators linked to each corporate practice and development of an integrated framework. RESULTS Fourteen frameworks were identified with 37 individual corporate practices which were coded into five different themes according the Lima and Galea 'Corporate Practices and Health' framework. We proposed a summary framework to inform the public health surveillance of UCIs which outlines key actors, corporate practices and outcomes that should be considered. The proposed framework draws from the health policy triangle framework and synthesises key features of existing frameworks. CONCLUSION Systematic monitoring of the practices of UCIs is likely to enable governments to mitigate the negative health impacts of corporate practices. The proposed synthesised framework highlights the range of practices deployed by corporations for public health surveillance at a national government level. We argue there is significant precedent and great need for monitoring of these practices and the operationalisation of a UCI monitoring system should be the object of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Bennett
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephanie M. Topp
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, VIC, Australia
| | - Alan Rob Moodie
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Respective contribution of ultra-processing and nutritional quality of foods to the overall diet quality: results from the NutriNet-Santé study. Eur J Nutr 2023; 62:157-164. [PMID: 35925444 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-022-02970-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both the nutritional quality of the foods consumed (as nutrient composition) and their ultra-processed nature have been linked to health risks. However, the respective contribution of each of these correlated dimensions or their synergy to the overall diet quality has been rarely explored. OBJECTIVE To identify the respective effects of the nutritional quality of the foods consumed, the ultra-processed nature of foods and their cross-effect contributing to the overall quality of the diet. DESIGN Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING Web-based French NutriNet-Santé cohort study. PARTICIPANTS Participants in the NutriNet-Santé cohort study with at least three available 24 h records as baseline dietary data (N = 98 454 participants). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The overall quality of the diet (qualified using the adherence to the 2017 French national nutrition and health dietary recommendations dietary score PNNS-GS2) was broken down into: (1) an effect of the nutritional quality of the foods consumed (qualified using the modified Foods Standards Agency nutrient profile model (underlying the Nutri-Score) dietary index FSAm-NPS DI); (2) an effect of the ultra-processed nature of the foods consumed (qualified using the proportion of ultra-processed foods consumed UPFp using the NOVA classification), and (3) a cross-effect of both dimensions. RESULTS The overall effect from the 'nutritional quality of the foods consumed' (FSAm-NPS DI) was 1.10, corresponding to 26% of the total effect; the overall effect from ultra-processed foods consumption was 1.29, corresponding to 30% of the total effect; and cross-effect between nutritional quality of the foods consumed and ultra-processing was at 1.91, corresponding to 44% of total effects. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides support to the postulate that nutritional quality and ultra-processing should be considered as two correlated but distinct and complementary dimensions of the diet.
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Scrinis G, Monteiro C. From ultra-processed foods to ultra-processed dietary patterns. NATURE FOOD 2022; 3:671-673. [PMID: 37118150 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-022-00599-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gyorgy Scrinis
- School of Agriculture and Food, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Carlos Monteiro
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Cossez E, Baker P, Mialon M. 'The second mother': How the baby food industry captures science, health professions and civil society in France. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2022; 18:e13301. [PMID: 34935291 PMCID: PMC8932685 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Most babies in France are fed with infant formula and then commercial complementary foods, many of which are ultra-processed and harmful to health. Internationally, there is opposition by the baby food industry to the introduction of public health policies that would limit the marketing and consumption of such products. Our aim was to identify the key baby food industry actors, describe their history and corporate political activity (CPA) in France. We sourced publicly available information, which we triangulated with data from 10 semi-structured interviews. Qualitative thematic analysis was undertaken simultaneously to data collection, guided by an existing classification of the CPA of the food industry. The baby food industry in France has shaped the science on infant and young child nutrition and nurtured long-established relationships with health professionals. This corporate science and these relationships helped baby food companies to portray themselves as experts on child-related topics. The baby food industry has also engaged with a broad range of civil society organisations, particularly through the concept of the first 1000 days of life, and during the covid-19 pandemic. We found evidence, although limited, that the baby food industry directly lobbied the French government. Since its early development in France in the 19th century, the baby food industry used its CPA to promote its products and protect and sustain its market. Our findings can be used to recognise, anticipate and address the CPA of this industry, and to minimise any negative influence it may have on babies' and mother's health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philip Baker
- Institute for Physical Activity and NutritionDeakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
| | - Mélissa Mialon
- Trinity Business School, Trinity College DublinDublinIreland
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Ultraprocessed Products as Food Fortification Alternatives: A Critical Appraisal from Latin America. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071413. [PMID: 35406028 PMCID: PMC9002678 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultraprocessed products (UPPs), associated with obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), are becoming predominant on the global market and a target for market-driven fortification initiatives. The aim of this article is to describe the implications of adding micronutrients to UPPs with excessive amounts of critical nutrients associated with NCDs and provide recommendations for legislation and policies. UPPs with added micronutrients such as breakfast cereals, sugar-sweetened beverages, powder beverages, fruit juices, sauces, and bouillon cubes, among others, are commonly available and heavily promoted in Latin American countries. Misleading advertising of UPPs with added micronutrients and with excessive content of sugar, fat, and salt might increase the consumption of such products, giving them a “health halo effect” that leads consumers to overestimate their nutritional quality and healthfulness. Although international collections of standards such as the Codex Alimentarius provide some guidelines on this matter, countries need to implement national legislations, through a food systems approach, to regulate the marketing and labeling of UPPs. Lastly, there is still the need to foster research to close knowledge gaps and help countries to guide the process of food fortification strategies from a regulatory standpoint.
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Cotter T, Kotov A, Wang S, Murukutla N. 'Warning: ultra-processed' - A call for warnings on foods that aren't really foods. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-007240. [PMID: 34933866 PMCID: PMC8666852 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shuo Wang
- Vital Strategies, New York, New York, USA
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Wood B, Baker P, Scrinis G, McCoy D, Williams O, Sacks G. Maximising the wealth of few at the expense of the health of many: a public health analysis of market power and corporate wealth and income distribution in the global soft drink market. Global Health 2021; 17:138. [PMID: 34857019 PMCID: PMC8641192 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-021-00781-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many of the harms created by the global soft drink industry that directly influence human and planetary health are well documented. However, some of the ways in which the industry indirectly affects population health, via various socio-economic pathways, have received less attention. This paper aimed to analyse the extent to which market power and corporate wealth and income distribution in the global soft drink market negatively impact public health and health equity. In doing so, the paper sought to contribute to the development of a broad-based public health approach to market analysis. A range of dimensions (e.g., market concentration; financial performance; corporate wealth and income distribution) and indicators (e.g., Herfindahl Hirschman Index; earnings relative to the industry average; effective tax rates; and shareholder value ratios) were descriptively analysed. Empirical focus was placed on the two dominant global soft drink manufacturers. Results Coca-Cola Co, and, to a lesser extent, PepsiCo, operate across an extensive patchwork of highly concentrated markets. Both corporations control vast amounts of wealth and resources, and are able to allocate relatively large amounts of money to potentially harmful practices, such as extensive marketing of unhealthy products. Over recent decades, the proportion of wealth and income transferred by these firms to their shareholders has increased substantially; whereas the proportion of wealth and income redistributed by these two firms to the public via income taxes has considerably decreased. Meanwhile, the distribution of soft drink consumption is becoming increasingly skewed towards population groups in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Conclusions Market power and corporate wealth and income distribution in the global soft drink market likely compound the market’s maldistribution of harms, and indirectly influence health by contributing to social and economic inequalities. Indeed, a ‘double burden of maldistribution’ pattern can be seen, wherein the wealth of the shareholders of the market’s dominant corporations, a group over-represented by a small and wealthy elite, is maximised largely at the expense of the welfare of LMICs and lower socioeconomic groups in high-income countries. If this pattern continues, the appropriate role of the global soft drink market as part of sustainable economic development will require rethinking. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12992-021-00781-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Wood
- Global Obesity Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Phil Baker
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Gyorgy Scrinis
- School of Agriculture and Food, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David McCoy
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University London, London, UK
| | - Owain Williams
- School of Political Science and International Studies, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Gary Sacks
- Global Obesity Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Provenza FD, Anderson C, Gregorini P. We Are the Earth and the Earth Is Us: How Palates Link Foodscapes, Landscapes, Heartscapes, and Thoughtscapes. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.547822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are participating in the sixth mass extinction, and for the first time in 200,000 years, our species may be on the brink of extinction. We are facing the greatest challenges we have ever encountered, namely how to nourish eight billion people in the face of changing climates ecologically, diminish disparity between the haves and the have-nots economically, and ease xenophobia, fear, and hatred socially? Historically, our tribal nature served us well, but the costs of tribalism are now far too great for one people inhabiting one tiny orb. If we hope to survive, we must mend the divides that isolate us from one another and the communities we inhabit. While not doing so could be our undoing, doing so could transform our collective consciousness into one that respects, nourishes, and embraces our interdependence with life on Earth. At a basic level, we can cultivate life by using nature as a model for how to produce and consume food; by decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels for energy to grow, process, and transport food; and by transcending persistent battles over one-size-fits-all plant- or animal-based diets. If we learn to do so in ways that nourish life, we may awaken individually and collectively to the wisdom of the Maori proverb Ko au te whenua. Ko te whenua Ko au: I am the land. The land is me. In this paper, we use “scapes” —foodscapes, landscapes, heartscapes, and thoughtscapes—as unifying themes to discuss our linkages with communities. We begin by considering how palates link animals with foodscapes. Next, we address how palates link foodscapes with landscapes. We then consider how, through our reverence for life, heartscapes link palates with foodscapes and landscapes. We conclude with transformations of thoughtscapes needed to appreciate life on Earth as a community to which we belong, rather than as a commodity that belongs to us.
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