TWO thirds of a British teenager’s diet is junk, according to a study. Cambridge and Bristol university researchers estimate 66 per cent of calories come from fatty ultra-processed foods. They analysed food diaries from 2,991 youngsters aged 11 to 18 between 2008 and 2019.
There was a small decline over the decade but packaged snacks and meals still made up a majority of their diets. Study author Dr Yanaina Chavez-Ugalde, from Cambridge University, said: “It’s clear from our findings that ultra-processed foods make up the majority of adolescents’ diets. “Their consumption is at a much higher level than is ideal, given their potential negative health impacts.
“There is a growing body of evidence linking the consumption of UPF with poor dietary quality and diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.” Ultra-processed foods offer convenient and often cheap solutions but also poor nutritional value Ultra-processed foods are often high in fat and sugar and low in fibre, which raises the risk of weight gain. They include tasty and convenient fizzy drinks, pre-packed snacks like crisps and biscuits, breakfast cereals and ready meals, the researchers said.
About a quarter of secondary school students are obese, compared to 15 per cent in 1995, official figures suggest. The study, in the European Journal of Nutrition, said white teenagers and those in poorer areas ate more junk food. Joint senior author Dr Esther van Sluijs said: “Ultra-processed foods offer con.