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Intake of Ultra-processed Foods Among Adolescents From Low- and Middle-Income Families in Delhi

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Abstract

Objective

To assess the contribution of ultra-processed foods to the macronutrient intake of adolescents from low- and middle-income families in Delhi.

Method

Adolescents (n=1030) aged 12–16 years from four private and four government schools of Delhi were interviewed using 24-hour recall (repeated on three days), and a food frequency questionnaire.

Results

The mean energy intake from ultra-processed foods was 371 kcal (16.2%) of the total energy intake. The mean intake of macronutrients from ultra-processed foods was 7.1 g (16.3%) fat, 78.9 g (18.6%) carbohydrate and 4.8 g (10.9%) protein. Children from middle-income families consumed significantly higher (P<0.05) amounts of macronutrients coming from ultra-processed foods, as compared to those from low-income families.

Conclusion

Adolescents reported regular consumption of variety of ultra-processed foods, and measures to reduce this consumption and encouraging healthy food choices are urgently needed.

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Funding

Funding: Senior research fellowship by University Grants Commission Government of India (AJ)

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. From Department of Food and Nutrition, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India

    Arushi Jain & P. Mathur

  2. B-139, Naraina Vihar, New Delhi, 110 028, India

    Arushi Jain

Authors
  1. Arushi Jain
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  2. P. Mathur
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Contributions

Contributors: AJ: design of study, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, writing paper; PM: design of study, data interpretation, writing and review of paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arushi Jain.

Ethics declarations

Ethical clearance: Institutional Ethics Committee of Lady Irwin College; ECR/12/INDT/DL/2014 dated May 06, 2014.

Competing interest: None stated.

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Jain, A., Mathur, P. Intake of Ultra-processed Foods Among Adolescents From Low- and Middle-Income Families in Delhi. Indian Pediatr 57, 712–714 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-020-1913-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-020-1913-8

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