Products such as sweet and savory biscuits are the most consumed, followed by instant flour, chocolate, ice cream, gelatin and milk-based drinks, such as chocolate milk and yogurt.
A recent survey revealed that almost 25% of the diet of Brazilian children up to the age of five consists of ultra-processed foods. This alarming fact was highlighted by the National Study on Infant Food and Nutrition (Enani), which sheds light on the negative impact of this type of diet on children’s health.
Products such as sweet and savory biscuits are the most consumed ultra-processed products, followed by instant flour, chocolate, ice cream, gelatin and milk-based beverages such as chocolate milk and yogurt. These highly industrialized foods pose health risks to children, including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
High consumption of ultra-processed foods among Brazilian children
The study, conducted by UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) between February 2019 and March 2020, analyzed the eating habits of 14,505 children under five years old in 123 Brazilian municipalities and the Federal District.
The results showed that 24.7% of the diet of these children consisted of ultra-processed foods, while fresh foods, such as fruits, vegetables and meat, accounted for 48.4% and breast milk made up 15.4% of the diet.
In Folha de São Paulo, the teacher Elisa Lacerdaof the UFRJ, suggests that the popularity of ultra-processed foods is due to their easy accessibility and low cost in supermarkets. Advertising aimed at children also plays a significant role in attracting children and influencing parental choices.
For children between 2 and 5 years old, the consumption of ultra-processed foods reaches 30.4% of the daily diet. Among children between six months and two years old, the rate is 20.5%, a worrying number given that the recommendation for this age is to completely avoid these foods.
The role of schools in children’s nutrition and the consequences of this consumption
While the study was household-based and did not include an analysis of school meals, the National School Meal Program (PNAE) guidelines allow up to 20 percent of foods purchased by public schools to be processed or ultra-processed. A 2023 study by the Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health (NUPEMS) at USP found that cookies are among the most purchased items for school lunches, surpassed only by beef, chicken, formula, and bananas.
According to the researcher Natalia OliveiraFrom Enani, to Folha de São Paulo, high consumption of ultra-processed foods during childhood has serious health implications, such as an increased risk of obesity. The World Obesity Federation’s Atlas 2024 predicts that Brazil could have up to 20 million obese children and adolescents by 2035.
The nutritionist Carolina Romeiro, technical advisor to the Federal Nutrition Council (CFN), warns Folha de São Paulo that many products marketed as healthy, such as mini cakes, tubes and yogurts, contain long lists of ingredients and additives and are therefore harmful to children’s health.
The study also found that 60.6% of the diet of children between six months and two years is made up of sweets and sugars, a figure that rises to 80.4% among children between 2 and 5 years. This early introduction to sugar can lead to unhealthy food preferences and excess weight.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
