Unhealthy Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Children and Adolescents Living in the Mediterranean Area: The DELICIOUS Project

Rosi, Alice and Giampieri, Francesca and Abdelkarim, Osama and Aly, Mohamed and Ammar, Achraf and Frias-Toral, Evelyn and Pons, Juancho and Vázquez-Araújo, Laura and Scuderi, Alessandro and Decembrino, Nunzia and Leonardi, Alice and Maniega Legarda, Fernando and Monasta, Lorenzo and Mata, Ana and Chacón, Adrián and Busó, Pablo and Grosso, Giuseppe UNSPECIFIED, francesca.giampieri@uneatlantico.es, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED (2025) Unhealthy Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Children and Adolescents Living in the Mediterranean Area: The DELICIOUS Project. International Journal of Public Health, 70. ISSN 1661-8564

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Abstract

Objectives: This study addressed the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) formulated with excess of energy/fats/sugars (hence deemed as unhealthy) and factors associated with it in children and adolescents living in 5 Mediterranean countries participating to the DELICIOUS (UnDErstanding consumer food choices & promotion of healthy and sustainable Mediterranean diet and LIfestyle in Children and adolescents through behavIOUral change actionS) project.Methods: A total of 2011 parents of children and adolescents (6–17 years) participated in a survey exploring their children’s frequency consumption of unhealthy UPFs and demographic, eating, and lifestyle habits.Results: Most children consumed unhealthy UPFs daily: higher intake was associated with being older and with obesity, as well as higher parental education and younger age. Children eating more frequently out of home and with a higher number of meals were also more likely to consume unhealthier UPF. Moreover, more screen time and a lower healthy lifestyle score were associated with higher unhealthy UPF consumption.Conclusion: consumption of unhealthy UPFs seems to be preeminent in children and adolescents living in the Mediterranean area and associated with an overall unhealthy lifestyle.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	ultra-processed food (UPF), children and adolescents, mediterranean area, eating habits, lifestyle behaviours
Subjects:	Subjects > Nutrition
Divisions:	Europe University of Atlantic > Research > Scientific Production Universidad Internacional do Cuanza > Research > Scientific Production
Depositing User:	Sr Bibliotecario
Date Deposited:	10 Nov 2025 09:25
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2025 09:25
URI:	http://repositorio.funiber.org/id/eprint/17871

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