January 31, 2025

expert reaction to study looking at ultraprocessed food consumption and obesity in Canadian children

A study published in JAMA Network Open looks at UPF consumption and obesity in Canadian children. 

Dr Ian Johnson, Nutrition researcher and Emeritus Fellow, Quadram Institute, said:

“This study is consistent with previous work suggesting an association between consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and obesity, and it is interesting to see the link established at such an early age (although the study only seems to find a link in boys, not girls).  However, as with most such studies, and as the authors themselves seem to acknowledge, the general nature and poor specificity of the definition of UPF makes it very difficult to establish any causal mechanism.”

‘Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Obesity Development in Canadian Children’ by Zheng Hao Chen et al. was published in JAMA Network Open at 16:00 UK time on Friday 31 January 2025. 

DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.57341

Declared interests

Dr Ian Johnson: “No conflict of interest.”