British adolescents consume around two-thirds of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFs) that may increase the risk of poor health, according to new research.
Young people from white or disadvantaged backgrounds, and those living in the north of England, had the highest intake of calories from UPFs, results show.
There is growing concern that foods containing manufactured substances such as emulsifiers, preservatives, sweeteners and flavourings are a key driver of rising obesity, type-2 diabetes and cancer.
The findings strengthen the case for an overhaul of junk food marketing promised by the new Health Secretary Wes Streeting – made while Labour were in opposition.
Scientists at the universities of Cambridge and Bristol analysed food diaries kept by almost 3,000 adolescents in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey between 2008/09 and 2018/19.
On average 66% of their energy intake came from UPFs, though there was a small fall, from 68% to 63%, over the decade, according to results published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
But consumption varied significantly between certain groups.
In adolescents from deprived backgrounds UPFs accounted for 68% of energy intake, compared to 63% in those with a more privileged start to life.
White adolescents also consumed 67% of calories from UPFs, while for those in ethnically diverse communities it was just 59%.
While consumption reached 67% of energy intake in adolescents growing up in the north of England, it was just 64% in those in London and the South.
Lead author Dr Yanaina Chavez-Ugalde, from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, said: “Adolescents’ food patterns and practices are influenced by many factors, including their home environment, the marketing they are exposed to and the influence of their friends and peers.
“But adolescence is also an important time in our lives where behaviours begin to become ingrained.
“It’s clear from our findings that ultra-processed foods make up the majority of adolescents’ diets, and their consumption is at a much higher level than is ideal, given their potential negative health impacts.”
UPFs are controversial.
Some scientists have argued they are a distraction from the dietary advice on avoiding foods high in saturated fat, sugar and salt.
But others say UPFs are more than just junk foods.
They include products such as ready meals containing ingredients that wouldn’t be found in a kitchen at home.
Dr Esther van Sluijs, another of the researchers, said: “Ultra-processed foods offer convenient and often cheaper solutions to time – and income – poor families, but unfortunately many of these foods also offer poor nutritional value.
“This could be contributing to the inequalities in health we see emerging across childhood and adolescence.”