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Pellegrino F, Tan M, Richonnet C, Reinert R, Bucher Della Torre S, Chatelan A. What Is the Nutritional Quality of Pre-Packed Foods Marketed to Children in Food Stores? A Survey in Switzerland. Nutrients 2024; 16:1656. [PMID: 38892589 PMCID: PMC11175003 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111656] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Food marketing targeting children influences their choices and dietary habits, and mainly promotes food high in fat, sugar, and salt as well as ultra-processed food. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional quality of food and beverages marketed to children over the age of 3 and available on the Swiss market. Products with at least one marketing technique targeting children on the packaging were selected from five food store chains. Three criteria to assess nutritional quality were used: (1) nutritional composition (using the Nutri-Score), (2) degree of processing (NOVA classification), and (3) compliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) Nutrient Profile Model (NPM). A total of 735 products were found and analyzed. The most common marketing techniques used were childish names/fonts (46.9%), special characters (39.6%), and children's drawings (31.3%). Most products had a Nutri-Score of D or E (58.0%) and were ultra-processed (91.8%). Only 10.2% of products displayed the Nutri-Score. The least processed products generally had a better Nutri-Score (p < 0.001). Most products (92.8%) did not meet the criteria of the WHO NPM. Products that met the WHO NPM criteria, organic products, and products with a nutritional claim generally had a better Nutri-Score and were less processed (ps < 0.05). Pre-packaged foods and beverages marketed to children in the Swiss market were mostly of poor nutritional quality. Public health measures should be adopted to improve the nutritional quality of foods marketed to children in Switzerland and restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods to children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Pellegrino
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Geneva School of Health Sciences, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Rue des Caroubiers 25, 1227 Carouge, Switzerland
| | - Monique Tan
- Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Celine Richonnet
- Club Européen des Diététiciens de l’Enfance (CEDE), Esplanade, 17-7800 Ath, Belgium
| | - Raphaël Reinert
- Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Schwarzenburgstrasse 155, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Bucher Della Torre
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Geneva School of Health Sciences, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Rue des Caroubiers 25, 1227 Carouge, Switzerland
| | - Angeline Chatelan
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Geneva School of Health Sciences, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Rue des Caroubiers 25, 1227 Carouge, Switzerland
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Dittmann A, Werner L, Hörz L, Luft T, Finkbeiner F, Storcksdieck genannt Bonsmann S. Sociodemographic and behavioural differences between frequent and non-frequent users of convenience food in Germany. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1369137. [PMID: 38585611 PMCID: PMC10997035 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1369137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Convenience foods are a double-edged sword in that they provide quick and easy nutrition but may promote non-communicable diseases related to excess intakes of sugar, fat, and salt. To inform the German national reduction and innovation strategy for less sugar, fat, and salt in processed foods, the present study sought to analyse the consumption frequency of selected convenience foods and to determine sociodemographic and behavioural factors that characterise frequent users. Methods In a representative computer-assisted telephone interview survey in the adult German population (N = 3,997) conducted in 2018, consumption frequency of 21 convenience foods was assessed. To characterise frequent in contrast to non-frequent users, data on sociodemographics and behavioural aspects were compared. Statistical analyses comprised chi-square tests with Bonferroni correction as well as Spearman's rank correlation. Cramer's V was used to determine the strength of an association. Results Overall and among frequent users (7.7% of the sample) sweet convenience foods and savoury cooking aids were consumed most frequently. Around 75% of the participants indicated little-to-no consumption of 19 of the 21 convenience foods. Male gender (p < 0.001), younger age (p < 0.001), and not having a high level of education (p = 0.017) were identified as key characteristics of frequent users. Furthermore, frequent users were more likely than non-frequent users to live in a family household (p = 0.003) or without a partner (p < 0.001), and to work in shifts (p = 0.002). Additionally, they showed significantly lower cooking skills (p < 0.001). Conclusion Public health interventions to limit excess intakes of sugar, fat, and salt from convenience food in Germany should target people of male gender, younger age, and having a lower level of education. On the behavioural side, developing the skills to cook from scratch emerged as major point of focus. Simultaneously, reformulation of the food offer should continue in order to help transition to a more health-promoting food environment.
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Qu Y, Hu W, Huang J, Tan B, Ma F, Xing C, Yuan L. Ultra-processed food consumption and risk of cardiovascular events: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 69:102484. [PMID: 38389712 PMCID: PMC10882111 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption continues to increase worldwide. However, evidences from meta-analyses are limited regarding the effects on cardiovascular events (CVEs). Methods A meta-analysis was performed to assess the dose-response relationship of UPF consumption and CVEs risk (including the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular causes, and myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack, coronary intervention). Databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were searched for observational studies published in English language up to October 24, 2023. Generalized least squares regression and restricted cubic splines were used to estimate the linear/nonlinear relationship. PROSPERO CRD 42023391122. Findings Twenty studies with 1,101,073 participants and 58,201 CVEs cases with a median follow-up of 12.2 years were included. A positive linear relationship between UPF intake and CVEs risk was identified. In addition, positive correlation between coronary heart disease and UPF consumption in terms of daily serving and daily energy proportion. No significant association of UPF consumption with the risk of cerebrovascular disease was observed. Briefly, 10% increase of UPF by daily weight proportion was associated with a 1.9% increase of CVEs risk (RR = 1.019; 95% CI, 1.007-1.031; P = 0.002), an additional daily serving corresponding to 2.2% CVEs risk increase (RR = 1.022; 95% CI, 1.013-1.031; P < 0.001), and 10% increase by daily energy proportion corresponding to 1.6% CVEs risk increase (RR = 1.016; 95% CI, 1.002-1.030; P = 0.022). Interpretation UPF consumption were associated with a higher risk of CVEs in the positive linear relationship. Our findings highlight the importance of minimizing UPF consumption for cardiovascular health and might be help to pursue public health policies in control of UPF consumption. Funding This work was supported by the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province (2023-ZDLSF-22), the Innovative Talent Support Program of Shaanxi Province (2022KJXX-106), and the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province (2023-YBSF-424).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Qu
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710038, China
- Xi'an Medical University, No. 74 Hanguang North Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710068, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710038, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Health Management, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710038, China
| | - Bijun Tan
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710038, China
| | - Fenghui Ma
- Department of Health Management, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710038, China
| | - Changyang Xing
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710038, China
| | - Lijun Yuan
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710038, China
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Schönenberger KA, Huwiler VV, Reber E, Mühlebach S, Stanga Z, Pestoni G, Faeh D. Dietary fibre intake and its association with ultraprocessed food consumption in the general population of Switzerland: analysis of a population-based, cross-sectional national nutrition survey. BMJ Nutr Prev Health 2024; 7:26-37. [PMID: 38966099 PMCID: PMC11221279 DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph-2023-000727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives The objective of this study was to describe the compliance to dietary fibre recommendations of the Swiss population and to investigate the association between dietary fibre intake and ultraprocessed food (UPF) consumption. Methods Data were obtained from the cross-sectional Swiss National Nutrition Survey menuCH. We summarised the sociodemographic, lifestyle and anthropometric parameters as well as dietary data collected with two 24-hour dietary recalls for the whole population and subgroups according to absolute and relative dietary fibre intake. We analysed the associations between dietary fibre intake and UPF consumption by fitting multinomial logistic regression models. Data were weighted according to the menuCH weighting strategy to achieve a representation of the Swiss population. Results Data obtained from 2057 adults were included in the analysis, of which 87% had a dietary fibre intake of <30 g/day. Participants with high UPF consumption had lower odds of being in the medium or high dietary fibre intake groups than participants with low UPF consumption. The odds of being in the medium or high dietary fibre intake groups decreased linearly across quartiles of UPF consumption (p for trend ≤0.004). Conclusions Dietary fibre intake is insufficient in all population groups in Switzerland. UPF consumption is inversely and dose dependently associated with dietary fibre intake. To increase dietary fibre intake, public health measures should discourage UPF consumption and increase dietary fibre intake via unprocessed or minimally processed foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja A Schönenberger
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism (UDEM), University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Clinical Pharmacy and Epidemiology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Valentina V Huwiler
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism (UDEM), University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Clinical Pharmacy and Epidemiology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Emilie Reber
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism (UDEM), University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Mühlebach
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Clinical Pharmacy and Epidemiology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Zeno Stanga
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism (UDEM), University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Pestoni
- Health Department, Nutrition Group, Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences (FFHS) / University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Zurich, Switzerland
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David Faeh
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Health Department, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland
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Dicken SJ, Qamar S, Batterham RL. Who consumes ultra-processed food? A systematic review of sociodemographic determinants of ultra-processed food consumption from nationally representative samples. Nutr Res Rev 2023:1-41. [PMID: 37905428 DOI: 10.1017/s0954422423000240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake is associated with increased non-communicable disease risks. However, systematic reports on sociodemographic predictors of UPF intake are lacking. This review aimed to understand UPF consumption based on sociodemographic factors, using nationally representative cohorts. The systematic review was pre-registered (PROSPERO:CRD42022360199), following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE searches (‘ultra-processed/ultraprocessed’ and ‘ultra-processing/ultraprocessing’) until 7 September 2022 retrieved 1131 results. Inclusion criteria included: observational, nationally representative adult samples, in English, in peer-reviewed journals, assessing the association between sociodemographics and individual-level UPF intake defined by the NOVA classification. Exclusion criteria included: not nationally representative, no assessment of sociodemographics and individual-level UPF intake defined by NOVA. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Fifty-five papers were included, spanning thirty-two countries. All thirteen sociodemographic variables identified were significantly associated with UPF intake in one or more studies. Significant differences in UPF intake were seen across age, race/ethnicity, rural/urbanisation, food insecurity, income and region, with up to 10–20% differences in UPF intake (% total energy). Higher UPF intakes were associated with younger age, urbanisation and being unmarried, single, separated or divorced. Education, income and socioeconomic status showed varying associations, depending on country. Multivariate analyses indicated that associations were independent of other sociodemographics. Household status and gender were generally not associated with UPF intake. NOS averaged 5·7/10. Several characteristics are independently associated with high UPF intake, indicating large sociodemographic variation in non-communicable disease risk. These findings highlight significant public health inequalities associated with UPF intake, and the urgent need for policy action to minimise social injustice-related health inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Dicken
- Centre for Obesity Research, Department of Medicine, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Sulmaaz Qamar
- Centre for Obesity Research, Department of Medicine, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6JF, UK
- Bariatric Centre for Weight Management and Metabolic Surgery, University College London Hospital (UCLH), London NW1 2BU, UK
- National Institute for Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospital (UCLH), London W1T 7DN, UK
| | - Rachel L Batterham
- Centre for Obesity Research, Department of Medicine, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6JF, UK
- Bariatric Centre for Weight Management and Metabolic Surgery, University College London Hospital (UCLH), London NW1 2BU, UK
- National Institute for Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospital (UCLH), London W1T 7DN, UK
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Dinu M, Martini D. Ultra-Processed Foods, Diet Quality and Human Health. Nutrients 2023; 15:2890. [PMID: 37447216 DOI: 10.3390/nu15132890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The increase in the volume of industrially processed products in the global food supply has coincided with an increasing prevalence of obesity and non-communicable diseases in many countries, suggesting that ultra-processed foods (UPF) consumption may be detrimental to human health [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Dinu
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Martini
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
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