The eating habits of children seem to be worrying, according to the research data of an American study, the results of which blame over-processed foods for the rapid weight gain of children.
Obesity has taken the form of an epidemic, with data suggesting an increased incidence in children, especially in the countries of southern Europe. In fact, in our country they are recorded by the highest percentages of childhood obesity with over 40% of children being overweight, while 19-24% of boys and 14-19% of obese girls.
Over-processed foods appear to be one of the main culprits, according to a new US study. More specifically, children in America are recruiting 2/3 of daily calories exclusively from over-processed foods. The percentage even amounts to 67% compared to 61% of children and adolescents two decades earlier according to research data. In addition, the intake of daily calories from prepared or frozen meals increased from 2% to 11%.
These data came from a twenty-year review from 1999 to 2018, based on data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Survey, a federal study that assesses the dietary patterns of American citizens.
The researchers even found that both younger children as much as teenagers consumed more over-processed foods regardless of educational level and income of their parents.
The head of the research, Dr. Fang Zhang, an associate professor in the Department of Nutrition at Tufts University in Boston, believes this is due to a lack of time and not so much to parental ignorance or lack of money: "We are all busy today. We have less time for cooking and unfortunately we rely heavily on over-processed foods that loosen our hands. " he stresses.
What do over-processed foods contain?
An analysis of these foods showed that compared to unprocessed foods, over-processed foods contain more calories, carbohydrates (55% vs. 43%) and additional sugars (19% vs. 3%). In addition, they contain less fiber and protein (11% vs. 21%)
As Zhang explains: "Food processing can have an impact on our health because it changes the physical structure and chemical composition of food" while further warning that "People who eat over-processed foods tend to be fatter and consume more calories".
However, nutritionists in the US have finally achieved something with their advice, after their constant warnings about the guilt of soft drinks in the increase of childhood obesity led to reduction of intake of total daily calories from soft drinks from about 11% to 5% in the last two decades.
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