How to evaluate ultra-processed food intake in pediatrics? UPF score: an easy alternative
Abstract Background The rising intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among the pediatric population poses challenges due to the lack of precise and easily accessible tools to quantify such intake. This complicates understanding its effects on dietary quality and hampers the design of interventions...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01056-8 |
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| author | Laura Fernanda Rosales-Arreola Citlali Ayala-Galván Estefany Villa-Aguilar Analí Villegas-González Rosa E. Soriano-Rosales Beatriz Pérez-Guillé José Francisco González-Zamora Ailema González-Ortiz |
| author_facet | Laura Fernanda Rosales-Arreola Citlali Ayala-Galván Estefany Villa-Aguilar Analí Villegas-González Rosa E. Soriano-Rosales Beatriz Pérez-Guillé José Francisco González-Zamora Ailema González-Ortiz |
| author_sort | Laura Fernanda Rosales-Arreola |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The rising intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among the pediatric population poses challenges due to the lack of precise and easily accessible tools to quantify such intake. This complicates understanding its effects on dietary quality and hampers the design of interventions to prevent the negative impact of UPF consumption on health. Given these challenges, it is essential to establish reliable methods to assess UPF consumption and its effect on diet. Objective This study aims to determine the relationship between the UPF score and dietary characteristics. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 353 participants aged 3 to 17. The methods included (1) collection of a three-day food record; (2) an evaluation of intake across five food groups; (3) categorization of intake frequency (0, 1, 2, or up to 3 times weekly); and (4) scoring by cumulative intake. Principal component analysis and regression models were utilized to assess diet associations with UPF score. Results Higher cumulative UPF score groups were associated with increased intake of energy, fats, and sodium (p < 0.01); decreased fiber intake (p = 0.03), vegetables, fruits, and cereals (p < 0.05); higher sugar intake (p < 0.01); and reduced intake of vitamins A and C (p < 0.05). Four principal components, representing over 65% of sample variability, identified two healthy and two less healthy dietary patterns. Linear regression indicated higher fiber intake at lower UPF scores, declining with higher UPF scores. Conclusions The UPF score represents a useful tool for assessing UPF intake and dietary characteristics in pediatric populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e89f913b308642aab4409c3dd74515ff |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2055-0928 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-e89f913b308642aab4409c3dd74515ff2025-08-20T02:27:50ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282025-04-0111111110.1186/s40795-025-01056-8How to evaluate ultra-processed food intake in pediatrics? UPF score: an easy alternativeLaura Fernanda Rosales-Arreola0Citlali Ayala-Galván1Estefany Villa-Aguilar2Analí Villegas-González3Rosa E. Soriano-Rosales4Beatriz Pérez-Guillé5José Francisco González-Zamora6Ailema González-Ortiz7Translational Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700 C, Insurgentes CuicuilcoTranslational Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700 C, Insurgentes CuicuilcoTranslational Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700 C, Insurgentes CuicuilcoTranslational Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700 C, Insurgentes CuicuilcoTranslational Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700 C, Insurgentes CuicuilcoTranslational Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700 C, Insurgentes CuicuilcoTranslational Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700 C, Insurgentes CuicuilcoTranslational Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700 C, Insurgentes CuicuilcoAbstract Background The rising intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among the pediatric population poses challenges due to the lack of precise and easily accessible tools to quantify such intake. This complicates understanding its effects on dietary quality and hampers the design of interventions to prevent the negative impact of UPF consumption on health. Given these challenges, it is essential to establish reliable methods to assess UPF consumption and its effect on diet. Objective This study aims to determine the relationship between the UPF score and dietary characteristics. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 353 participants aged 3 to 17. The methods included (1) collection of a three-day food record; (2) an evaluation of intake across five food groups; (3) categorization of intake frequency (0, 1, 2, or up to 3 times weekly); and (4) scoring by cumulative intake. Principal component analysis and regression models were utilized to assess diet associations with UPF score. Results Higher cumulative UPF score groups were associated with increased intake of energy, fats, and sodium (p < 0.01); decreased fiber intake (p = 0.03), vegetables, fruits, and cereals (p < 0.05); higher sugar intake (p < 0.01); and reduced intake of vitamins A and C (p < 0.05). Four principal components, representing over 65% of sample variability, identified two healthy and two less healthy dietary patterns. Linear regression indicated higher fiber intake at lower UPF scores, declining with higher UPF scores. Conclusions The UPF score represents a useful tool for assessing UPF intake and dietary characteristics in pediatric populations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01056-8Ultra-Processed FoodsDietary IntakeChild NutritionDietary PatternsFiber |
| spellingShingle | Laura Fernanda Rosales-Arreola Citlali Ayala-Galván Estefany Villa-Aguilar Analí Villegas-González Rosa E. Soriano-Rosales Beatriz Pérez-Guillé José Francisco González-Zamora Ailema González-Ortiz How to evaluate ultra-processed food intake in pediatrics? UPF score: an easy alternative BMC Nutrition Ultra-Processed Foods Dietary Intake Child Nutrition Dietary Patterns Fiber |
| title | How to evaluate ultra-processed food intake in pediatrics? UPF score: an easy alternative |
| title_full | How to evaluate ultra-processed food intake in pediatrics? UPF score: an easy alternative |
| title_fullStr | How to evaluate ultra-processed food intake in pediatrics? UPF score: an easy alternative |
| title_full_unstemmed | How to evaluate ultra-processed food intake in pediatrics? UPF score: an easy alternative |
| title_short | How to evaluate ultra-processed food intake in pediatrics? UPF score: an easy alternative |
| title_sort | how to evaluate ultra processed food intake in pediatrics upf score an easy alternative |
| topic | Ultra-Processed Foods Dietary Intake Child Nutrition Dietary Patterns Fiber |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01056-8 |
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