🥤 children: ultra-processed foods linked to behavioral disorders

What children eat during their early years could influence their behavior and emotions several years later. Researchers observed a link between a diet rich in ultra-processed foods at age three and the emergence of behavioral difficulties at age five, such as anxiety, fear, aggression, or hyperactivity.

The study followed more than 2,000 Canadian children from birth to adolescence. At age three, parents detailed their children's diet. Two years later, researchers assessed their behavior using a recognized questionnaire. Result: the more ultra-processed foods children consumed, the higher their scores for emotional and behavioral difficulties.


Each 10% increase in calories from ultra-processed foods was associated with higher scores for so-called "internalizing" behaviors (anxiety, fear) and "externalizing" behaviors (aggression, hyperactivity). These associations remained significant after adjusting for other factors such as family income or parental education.

Among ultra-processed foods, some showed a stronger link than others. These included sugary or artificially sweetened drinks, as well as ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat meals, such as fries or macaroni and cheese. The researchers also simulated dietary changes in their statistical models.

The study indicates that replacing just 10% of calories from ultra-processed foods with minimally processed foods, such as fruits or vegetables, could be linked to more favorable behavioral scores. Even modest adjustments in diet could therefore support healthier emotional development.

Lead researcher Kozeta Miliku, herself a parent of a young child, noted how pervasive ultra-processed foods are in young children's diets, sometimes even in environments perceived as healthy. She emphasizes that parents are doing their best, but these foods are convenient, affordable, and easily accessible.

The study does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship, but it adds to a growing body of research linking ultra-processed diets to mental health issues. The authors hope these data will help establish early interventions, such as parental guidance or nutritional standards for daycare centers.

What is an ultra-processed food?

Ultra-processed foods are industrial products made from refined ingredients and additives not found in a home kitchen. These include preservatives, sweeteners, colorings, and artificial flavors. Common examples are sodas, sugary cereals, chicken nuggets, frozen meals, and cookies.

These foods undergo multiple industrial processes that alter their original structure. They often contain hydrogenated fats, glucose-fructose syrups, and protein isolates. Their goal is to be tasty, inexpensive, and long-lasting.