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Kemp K, Lewis B, Naik AR, Uhley VE. Utilizing a medical school outreach program to help high school students explore the impact of food security and ultraprocessed foods on health risks. ADVANCES IN PHYSIOLOGY EDUCATION 2024; 48:421-426. [PMID: 38545644 DOI: 10.1152/advan.00115.2023] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
We offered an enrichment program for high school students with the theme, "The Environment, Health, and You" during the Summer of 2022 and the Spring of 2023. We developed several educational modules for high school students that provided them with an opportunity to learn and explore the foundations of physiological systems, nutrient needs to maintain health, and the impact that environmental factors can have on them. The modules included videos, discussion boards, games, readings, and labs. These modules were integrated into the first session: Your Body and Health. On day 1, the first module explored the basic physiology and anatomy of the body with respect to the organization of cells into organ systems. Additionally, the educational content included information on macro- and micronutrients and their impact on body development, nutrition, and metabolism. The nutrition module explored nutrition concepts and various factors that can impact healthy eating patterns, such as food insecurity issues and the consumption of ultraprocessed foods. A lab activity on label reading was included to help empower students to make healthy choices. A total of 43 high school students participated in the program. Overall, the quality of the educational content in the modules was rated highly by the students, and they indicated that the educational experience inspired them to learn more about the physiology and nutrition concepts associated with human metabolism, and the importance of healthy food choices to maintain health.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We describe how we integrated guided learning teaching modules in an enrichment program for high school students with the aim of enhancing their knowledge and skills to empower them to take charge of their own health risks and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyeorda Kemp
- Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan, United States
| | - Brianne Lewis
- Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan, United States
- Department of Foundational Sciences, Central Michigan University College of Medicine. Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
| | - Akshata R Naik
- Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan, United States
| | - Virginia E Uhley
- Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan, United States
- Family Medicine and Community Health, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan, United States
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Abstract
Food-based dietary guidelines have been the basis of public health recommendations for over half a century, but more recently, there has been a trend to classify the health properties of food not by its nutrient composition, but by the degree to which it has been processed. This concept has been supported by many association studies, narrative reviews and the findings from one randomised controlled feeding trial, which demonstrated the sustained effect of ultra-processed diets on increasing both energy intake and body weight. This has led to widespread speculation as to specific features of ultra-processed foods that promote increased energy intakes. Rising interest in the ultra-processed topic has led to proposals to include guidance and restrictions on the consumption of processed foods in national dietary guidelines, with some countries encouraging consumers to avoid highly processed foods completely, and only choose minimally processed foods. However, there remains a lack of consensus on the role of processed foods in human health when faced with the challenges of securing the food supply for a growing global population, that is, healthy, affordable and sustainable. There has also been criticism of the subjective nature of definitions used to differentiate foods by their degree of processing, and there is currently a lack of empirical data to support a clear mechanism by which highly processed foods promote greater energy intakes. Recommendations to avoid all highly processed foods are potentially harmful if they remove affordable sources of nutrients and will be impractical for most when an estimated two-thirds of current energy purchased are from processed or ultra-processed foods. The current review highlights some considerations when interpreting the dietary association studies that link processed food intake to health and offers a critique on some of the mechanisms proposed to explain the link between ultra-processed food and poor health. Recent research suggests a combination of higher energy density and faster meal eating rates are likely to influence meal size and energy intakes from processed foods and offers new perspectives on how to manage this in the future. In going beyond the ultra-processed debate, the aim is to summarise some important considerations when interpreting existing data and identify the important gaps for future research on the role of processed food in health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciarán G Forde
- Sensory Science and Eating Behaviour, Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Valicente VM, Peng CH, Pacheco KN, Lin L, Kielb EI, Dawoodani E, Abdollahi A, Mattes RD. Ultraprocessed Foods and Obesity Risk: A Critical Review of Reported Mechanisms. Adv Nutr 2023; 14:718-738. [PMID: 37080461 PMCID: PMC10334162 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiologic evidence supports a positive association between ultraprocessed food (UPF) consumption and body mass index. This has led to recommendations to avoid UPFs despite very limited evidence establishing causality. Many mechanisms have been proposed, and this review critically aimed to evaluate selected possibilities for specificity, clarity, and consistency related to food choice (i.e., low cost, shelf-life, food packaging, hyperpalatability, and stimulation of hunger/suppression of fullness); food composition (i.e., macronutrients, food texture, added sugar, fat and salt, energy density, low-calorie sweeteners, and additives); and digestive processes (i.e., oral processing/eating rate, gastric emptying time, gastrointestinal transit time, and microbiome). For some purported mechanisms (e.g., fiber content, texture, gastric emptying, and intestinal transit time), data directly contrasting the effects of UPF and non-UPF intake on the indices of appetite, food intake, and adiposity are available and do not support a unique contribution of UPFs. In other instances, data are not available (e.g., microbiome and food additives) or are insufficient (e.g., packaging, food cost, shelf-life, macronutrient intake, and appetite stimulation) to judge the benefits versus the risks of UPF avoidance. There are yet other evoked mechanisms in which the preponderance of evidence indicates ingredients in UPFs actually moderate body weight (e.g., low-calorie sweetener use for weight management; beverage consumption as it dilutes energy density; and higher fat content because it reduces glycemic responses). Because avoidance of UPFs holds potential adverse effects (e.g., reduced diet quality, increased risk of food poisoning, and food wastage), it is imprudent to make recommendations regarding their role in diets before causality and plausible mechanisms have been verified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius M Valicente
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Ching-Hsuan Peng
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Kathryn N Pacheco
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Luotao Lin
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Elizabeth I Kielb
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Elina Dawoodani
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Afsoun Abdollahi
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Richard D Mattes
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.
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Fitzgerald M. It is time to appreciate the value of processed foods. Trends Food Sci Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
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Chen A, Kayrala N, Trapeau M, Aoun M, Bordenave N. The clean label trend: An ineffective heuristic that disserves both consumers and the food industry? Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2022; 21:4921-4938. [PMID: 36076364 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
What started around the late 2000s as the "Clean Label" (CL) trend has now become a meaningful segment of the food market, appealing to consumers who want foods made of a limited number of simple and recognizable ingredients. However, this description and tentative definitions of CL foods are vague, subject to multiple interpretations, and CL remains an informal denomination for foods, making consumers' demands and food manufacturers' offerings hardly compatible. Therefore, rather than attempting an illusory definition of CL foods, this narrative review aims to (1) show how CL appears to be a heuristic used by consumers to attempt to make safe and healthful food choices, (2) discuss how this heuristic overlooks many critical aspect of food safety and healthfulness and is consequently ineffective to guide consumers' choices, and (3) discuss the implications of the CL trend on the food chain's stakeholders and their relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan Chen
- School of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole Kayrala
- School of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maëliss Trapeau
- School of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Aoun
- School of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicolas Bordenave
- School of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Haghighatdoost F, Hajihashemi P, Mohammadifard N, Najafi F, Farshidi H, Lotfizadeh M, Kazemi T, Karimi S, Shirani S, Solati K, Sarrafzadegan N. Association between ultra-processed foods consumption and micronutrient intake and diet quality in Iranian adults: a multicentric study. Public Health Nutr 2022; 26:1-9. [PMID: 36274641 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980022002038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify ultra-processed foods (UPF) contribution to daily energy and nutrient intake in Iranians and examine whether UPF intake is associated with nutrient profile and diet quality. DESIGN In this cross-sectional study, a validated FFQ was used to evaluate usual dietary intake over the preceding year. NOVA system was applied to categorise foods based on their levels of processing. Diet quality was evaluated using the nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF) and hybrid nutrient density. SETTING The LIPOKAP study conducted in five cities of Iran (Isfahan, Birjand, Bandar Abbas, Kermanshah and Shahrekord). PARTICIPANTS A total of 1994 adults aged ≥18 years were recruited using stratified multistage random cluster sampling method. RESULTS UPF were responsible for 8·5 % of daily energy intake. In the adjusted model, UPF consumption was inversely associated with carbohydrate, protein, refined and whole grains, fibre, fruit and meat, but was positively linked to energy, total fat, saturated and trans fatty acids and cholesterol. Compared with those in the lowest tertile, individuals in the highest tertile of UPF had smaller NAR for Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, phosphorus, thiamin, niacin, folate and vitamin C. Both NRF and hybrid nutrient density decreased when the share of daily energy intake from UPF increased. CONCLUSION The higher consumption of UPF is associated with poorer diet quality and lower nutrient intake. It is recommended that UPF be replaced with minimally processed foods to improve diet quality and nutrient profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahimeh Haghighatdoost
- Interventional Cardiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Parisa Hajihashemi
- Isfahan Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Noushin Mohammadifard
- Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, P. O. Box 81745-15, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Farid Najafi
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Hossein Farshidi
- Hormozgan Cardiovascular Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandarabbas, Iran
| | - Masoud Lotfizadeh
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Tooba Kazemi
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Simin Karimi
- Heart Failure Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Shahin Shirani
- Hypertension Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Kamal Solati
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Nizal Sarrafzadegan
- Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, P. O. Box 81745-15, Isfahan, Iran
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Mendoza-Velázquez A, Lara-Arévalo J, Siqueira KB, Guzmán-Rodríguez M, Drewnowski A. Affordable Nutrient Density in Brazil: Nutrient Profiling in Relation to Food Cost and NOVA Category Assignments. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14204256. [PMID: 36296940 PMCID: PMC9611234 DOI: 10.3390/nu14204256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Affordable nutrient density is provided by low-cost and nutrient-rich foods. We explored nutrient density, cost, and NOVA category assignments within and across food groups in Brazil. The nutrient density of the foods (n = 591) was assessed using the Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF9.3) based on protein, fiber, vitamin A (RAE), vitamin C, vitamin E (mg), Ca, Fe, K and Mg; and NRF6.3 score for priority nutrients: Ca, Fe, Zn, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and folate. Nutrients to limit (LIM) were saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium. Affordability was defined as the ratio of energy and/or nutrient density of foods and retail price per 100 kcal. Foods were classified as minimally processed (n = 106), processed (n = 188), ultra-processed (n = 286), and culinary ingredients (n = 11). Nutrient density was positively linked to per 100 kcal food cost. Ultra-processed foods (UPF) contained more energy, fat, sugar, and salt and had lower NRF scores compared to minimally processed (MPF) foods. UPF was also less expensive than MPF foods. Nutrient-rich foods below the median per 100 kcal costs included MPF foods, but also processed foods (PF) and UPF. Affordable nutrient-rich foods can be found in the different categories of the NOVA classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Mendoza-Velázquez
- Center for Public Health Nutrition, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Centro de Investigación e Inteligencia Económica, Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), Puebla 72410, Mexico
| | - Jonathan Lara-Arévalo
- Center for Public Health Nutrition, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Mariano Guzmán-Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigación e Inteligencia Económica, Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), Puebla 72410, Mexico
| | - Adam Drewnowski
- Center for Public Health Nutrition, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Gustafson DI, Decker EA, Drewnowski A, Hamm MW, Hwang J, Merrigan KA. Making Healthy, Sustainable Diets Accessible and Achievable: A New Framework for Assessing the Nutrition, Environmental, and Equity Impacts of Packaged Foods. Curr Dev Nutr 2022; 6:nzac136. [PMID: 36204327 PMCID: PMC9529222 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzac136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing global consensus among food system experts that diets and how we source our foods must change. The sustainable nutrition community continues exploring the environmental impact and dietary value of foods. Packaged foods have been largely ignored within the dialogue, and if they are addressed, existing frameworks tend to label them all as "ultraprocessed" and uniformly discourage their consumption. This approach lacks the nuance needed to holistically evaluate packaged foods within recommended dietary patterns. Additionally, there is considerable diversity of opinion within the literature on these topics, especially on how best to improve nutrition security in populations most at risk of diet-related chronic disease. In support of addressing these challenges, 8 sustainability and nutrition experts were convened by Clif Bar & Company for a facilitated discussion on the urgent need to drive adoption of healthy, sustainable diets; the crucial role that certain packaged foods can play in helping make such diets achievable and accessible; and the need for actionable guidance around how to recommend and choose packaged foods that consider human, societal, and planetary health. This article summarizes the meeting discussion, which informed the development of a proposed framework based on guiding principles for defining sustainable, nutritious packaged foods across key nutrition, environmental, economic, and sociocultural well-being indicators. Although additional research is needed to substantiate specific metrics in order to operationalize the framework, it is intended to be a foundation from which to build and refine as science and measurement capabilities advance, and an important step toward broader adoption of healthy, sustainable diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- David I Gustafson
- Adjunct Research Faculty, Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Eric A Decker
- Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Adam Drewnowski
- Center for Public Health Nutrition, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; USA
| | - Michael W Hamm
- Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jane Hwang
- Social Accountability International, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kathleen A Merrigan
- Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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Forde CG, Decker EA. The Importance of Food Processing and Eating Behavior in Promoting Healthy and Sustainable Diets. Annu Rev Nutr 2022; 42:377-399. [PMID: 35671530 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-062220-030123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Numerous association studies and findings from a controlled feeding trial have led to the suggestion that "processed" foods are bad for health. Processing technologies and food formulation are essential for food preservation and provide access to safe, nutritious, affordable, appealing and sustainable foods for millions globally. However, food processing at any level can also cause negative health consequences that result from thermal destruction of vitamins; formation of toxins such as acrylamide; or excessive intakes of salt, sugar, and fat. Research on ultraprocessed foods centers on food composition and formulation. In addition, many modern food formulations can have poor nutritional quality and higher energy density. We outline the role of processing in the provision of a safe and secure food supply and explore the characteristics of processed foods that promote greater energy intake. Despite the potential for negative health effects, food processing and formulation represent an opportunity to apply the latest developments in technology and ingredient innovation to improve the food supply by creating foods that decrease the risk of overeating. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Nutrition, Volume 42 is August 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciarán G Forde
- Sensory Science and Eating Behavior Group, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Eric A Decker
- Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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