New expert warns of dietary hazards for UK toddlers

Experts are warning about dietary hazards that could impact toddlers in the UK. They emphasize that certain foods may pose health risks to young children, urging parents to pay close attention to their dietary choices. The warnings highlight the importance of providing balanced nutrition to support healthy growth and development during these formative years, ensuring that meals are both safe and beneficial for toddlers.

According to a new study, toddlers in the UK derive nearly half of their calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFs), such as flavored yoghurts and wholegrain breakfast cereals.

This percentage increases to 59% of total calories by the time children reach age seven, as found by researchers from University College London (UCL).

Experts caution that early dietary habits can lead to behaviors that persist into adulthood, noting that UPFs aimed at children frequently contain high levels of salt and sugar. They stressed that more action is necessary to decrease UPF consumption among young children in light of their “concerning” findings. The research team analyzed dietary data from 2,591 children born in the UK in 2007 and 2008, with parents recording their food and drink intake over three days.

The most commonly consumed UPFs among toddlers—who were 21 months old when their diets were documented—were flavored yoghurts and wholegrain breakfast cereals, which are generally perceived as healthy options. By age seven, the predominant UPFs shifted to sweet cereals, white bread, and puddings. Dr. Rana Conway, the lead author, noted that while not all ultra-processed foods are detrimental to health, many of the items typically consumed by toddlers in the study are often considered relatively healthy.

However, she cautioned that some wholegrain cereals and flavored yoghurts contain high amounts of added sugar and salt, and the study found that toddlers consuming more UPFs also had higher intakes of these ingredients. This is troubling, particularly since toddlers generally consume more added sugar and salt than recommended. Additionally, a diet rich in ultra-processed foods may hinder children's ability to appreciate the natural flavors of whole foods, potentially discouraging healthy eating habits later in life.

The researchers also discovered that UPF consumption at 21 months predicted UPF intake at age seven. Toddlers consuming the most UPFs were 9.4 times more likely to be in the highest UPF-consumption group at age seven compared to those consuming the least. The research team attributed this trend partly to the “hyperpalatable” nature of these UPFs, which tend to be higher in fat, sugar, or salt.

Senior author Professor Clare Llewellyn emphasized the significance of early eating patterns, as they help establish habits that can persist throughout childhood and into adulthood. This was evident in the findings, showing that 21-month-olds who consumed more UPFs were likely to continue this trend at age seven. UPFs include items like biscuits, sausages, crisps, and commercially produced sliced bread, and typically contain ingredients that are rarely used in home cooking, such as colorings and sweeteners.

The study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, also revealed that all toddlers involved consumed more free sugars than national guidelines recommend. The researchers are now advocating for policies aimed at shifting children’s diets toward a lower proportion of UPFs. Suggested measures include restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods aimed at children, implementing warning labels, and subsidizing fresh and minimally processed foods.

Dr. Conway stated that providing healthy food options for children is challenging in the current food landscape, where highly processed foods are often less expensive than fresh fruits and vegetables. She added that despite labels suggesting these options are healthy, ultra-processed foods marketed to children often contain excessive sugar and salt, complicating parents' efforts to make healthy choices.

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Source: MSN‍