Ultra‐processed foods and the nutrition transition: Global, regional and national trends, food systems transformations and political economy drivers
- 6 August 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Obesity Reviews
- Vol. 21 (12), e13126
- https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13126
Abstract
Understanding the drivers and dynamics of global ultra‐processed food (UPF) consumption is essential, given the evidence linking these foods with adverse health outcomes. In this synthesis review, we take two steps. First, we quantify per capita volumes and trends in UPF sales, and ingredients (sweeteners, fats, sodium and cosmetic additives) supplied by these foods, in countries classified by income and region. Second, we review the literature on food systems and political economy factors that likely explain the observed changes. We find evidence for a substantial expansion in the types and quantities of UPFs sold worldwide, representing a transition towards a more processed global diet but with wide variations between regions and countries. As countries grow richer, higher volumes and a wider variety of UPFs are sold. Sales are highest in Australasia, North America, Europe and Latin America but growing rapidly in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. These developments are closely linked with the industrialization of food systems, technological change and globalization, including growth in the market and political activities of transnational food corporations and inadequate policies to protect nutrition in these new contexts. The scale of dietary change underway, especially in highly populated middle‐income countries, raises serious concern for global health.Keywords
This publication has 173 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effect on Caries of Restricting Sugars IntakeJournal of Dental Research, 2013
- Trends in US home food preparation and consumption: analysis of national nutrition surveys and time use studies from 1965–1966 to 2007–2008Nutrition Journal, 2013
- Global nutrition transition and the pandemic of obesity in developing countriesNutrition Reviews, 2012
- Changing the future of obesity: science, policy, and actionThe Lancet, 2011
- Supermarket revolution in Asia and emerging development strategies to include small farmersProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2010
- Food consumption trends and driversPhilosophical Transactions B, 2010
- Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Cardiovascular Disease RiskCirculation, 2010
- Plastics, the environment and human health: current consensus and future trendsPhilosophical Transactions B, 2009
- Takeaway food consumption and its associations with diet quality and abdominal obesity: a cross-sectional study of young adultsInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2009
- Caffeinated energy drinks—A growing problemDrug and Alcohol Dependence, 2009