Knowledge on Ultra-processed Food Consumption and its Associated Health Risks among Adolescents in Urban Areas

 

Jeya Beulah D

HOD, Community Health Nursing Dept,

SCPM College of Nursing and Paramedical Sciences, Gonda, UP - 271003.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: jeya.beulah09@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

Ultra-processed foods usually contain multiple ingredients that are rarely or never found in a kitchen. Additionally, they frequently contain a lot of ingredients and additives that aren't usually used in home cooking, like artificial colors and Flavors, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and preservatives. Objectives of this study are to assess the Knowledge on Ultra-processed food consumption and its associated health risks among adolescents in urban areas and also to find out the association between knowledge scores with the selected demographical variables. In this study, descriptive survey design was adopted and 30 adolescents were selected. The finding of this study revealed that the majority 24(80%) had moderate knowledge and 6 adolescents (20%) had adequate knowledge regarding ultra processed food and its effects on health. Hence, there is a need of creating awareness about health risk associated with ultra food consumption.

 

KEYWORDS: Knowledge, Ultra-Processed Food, Consumption, Associated Health Risk, Adolescents.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Ultra - processed foods are combinations of food ingredients that are frequently altered chemically before being put together to create ready-to consume extremely appetizing food and beverage items that contain a wide range of cosmetic additives, including flavors, colors, and emulsifiers. The majority are produced and marketed by multinational and other large corporations. They are extremely profitable, incredibly appealing, and inherently unhealthy due to their ultra-processing.1

 

According to a clinical trial finding recently published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, one of the main reasons India is the world's diabetic capital is a diet high in advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which include ultra-processed and fast foods.2 One in eight people worldwide suffered from obesity in 2022. In 2022, more than 390 million kids and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 were overweight, with 160 million of them suffering from obesity.3

 

Elizabeth L et al. narrative review showed that 37 of the 43 reviewed studies linked dietary UPF exposure to at least one negative health consequence. These included cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, frailty conditions, and all-cause mortality in adults, as well as overweight, obesity, and cardio-metabolic risks, asthma and cardio-metabolic risks in children and adolescents.4

 

By reviewing the literature, Jena et al. sought to map the evidence and pinpoint knowledge, practice, and influencing factors related to unhealthy eating behavior among Indian adolescents. 33 articles were found after screening in accordance with the inclusion criteria. There were 20,566 teenagers in all who participated in the studies. Adolescents' diet intake patterns revealed a decrease in fruits and vegetables and a rise in packaged food, fast food, fried foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages for both sexes. These factors were more widely associated with peer pressure (21.2%), unhealthy eating habits from parents (15.1%), place of residence (6.06%), emotional state (6.06%), and exposure to the media (18.1%).5 The volume sales/capita of ultra-processed food and drink (UPFD) worldwide and their correlations with adult body mass index (BMI) trajectories were assessed in a study. South and Southeast Asia (67.3%) and North Africa and the Middle East (57.5%) saw the largest increases in UPF volume sales, while South and Southeast Asia (120.0%) and Africa (70.7%) saw the largest increases in UPD.6

 

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between UK adult obesity risk and ultra-processed food consumption. Participants (N = 22,659) who were between the ages of 40 and 69 at the time of recruitment in the UK Biobank (2006-2019) had their dietary intakes recorded using 24-hour recall and repeated measures of adiposity, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and percentage of body fat (% BF). During follow-up, 947 incident cases of overall obesity (BMI ≥ 30kg/m2) and 1900 incident cases of abdominal obesity (waist ≥ 88cm for women and 102cm for men) were found. These results demonstrate that among adults in the UK, consuming more ultra-processed food is highly linked to an increased risk of several obesity-related indicators.7

 

A study by Neri D et al. evaluated the relationships between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and dietary nutrient profiles associated with childhood and teenage obesity in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Increases in the dietary share of ultra-processed foods were linked to decreases in fiber and increases in energy density and free sugars in nearly every country and age group.8 In order to determine how ultra-processed foods affected the macronutrient intake of adolescents from low- and middle-income families in Delhi, Jain A. and Mathu P. conducted a study. A food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour recall were used to interview 1030 adolescents, ages 12 to 16, from four private and four government schools in Delhi. Compared to children from low-income families, children from middle-income families consumed significantly more (P<0.05) macronutrients from ultra-processed foods.9

 

OBJECTIVES:

1.     To assess the knowledge regarding Ultra-processed food consumption and its associated health risks among adolescents in urban areas.

2.     To find out the association between knowledge regarding Ultra-processed food consumption and its associated health risks with selected socio-demographic variables.

 

Hypothesis:

H1 -  There is significant association between knowledge score regarding Ultra-processed food consumption and its associated health risks among the adolescents with selected socio demographic variables.

H0 - There is no significant association between knowledge score regarding Ultra-processed food consumption and its associated health risks among the adolescents with selected socio demographic variables. with selected socio demographic variables.

 

Research Design:

Descriptive survey approach was adopted.

 

Description of the Tool:

The study tool consists of two sections. Section A consists of demographic variables. Section B consists of structured knowledge questionnaire about ultra-processed food consumption and its associated health risks. It contains 30 objective type of multiple-choice questions. Each correct answer carries one mark. The maximum mark is 30.

 

Method of Data Collection:

Data collection was carried out by taking formal permission from concerned authorities of a selected urban area in Gonda.  30 samples were chosen and data was conducted with the help of a structured knowledge questionnaire.

 

Major Findings of the Study:

The finding of this study revealed that the majority 24 (80%) had moderate knowledge and 6 adolescents (20%) had adequate knowledge regarding ultra processed food and its effects on health. Also, the association found between knowledge level with socio demographic variables like father’s education and father’s occupation. There was no association with other demographic variables of the participants.

 

DISCUSSION:

Section I: Distribution of socio demographic variables

In this study, maximum participants were 16 years old, that is 73.3% and most of them were males 53.3%. High number of participant’s fathers were graduated 43.3% and 40% of mothers completed primary education. When considering occupation of fathers, 56.7% were working in private sectors and 70% of mothers were home makers. Most of the subjects (36.7%) had family income between 10,001 Rs– 15000Rs.

Section II: Knowledge on ultra processed food consumption and its health risks

S. No

Knowledge aspect

Frequency

Percentage

1

Inadequate

0

0

2

Moderate

24

80

3

Adequate

6

20

This table shows that the adolescents in urban areas were having moderate and adequate about ultra processed food consumption and associated health risks among adolescents.

 

Section III: Association of knowledge level with socio demographic variables

S. No

Demographic variables

Knowledge level

Chisquare

d.f

‘p’ value

 

Inadequate

Moderate

Adequate

value

1

Age in years

15 years

0

19

3

 

2.088

1

 

>0.05

NS

16 years

0

5

 3

2

Gender

Male

0

11

3

0.033

1

>0.05

NS

Female

0

13

3

3

Education of father

No formal education

0

0

1

6.923

2

>0.05

S

Primary education

0

3

0

Secondary education

0

6

3

Graduate

0

11

2

Post graduate

0

4

0

4

Education of mother

No formal education

0

2

1

3.542

2

>0.05

NS

Primary education

0

8

4

Secondary education

0

9

1

Graduate

0

2

0

Post graduate

0

3

0

5

Occupation of father

Government job

0

2

1

3.775

1

>0.05

S

Private job

0

12

5

Agriculture

0

8

0

Other jobs

0

2

0

6

Occupation of mother

Government job

0

3

0

1.503

1

>0.05

NS

Private job

0

3

1

Agriculture

0

2

0

Home Maker

0

16

5

 

The above table showed that the knowledge level was associated with socio demographic variables like father’s education and occupation statistically significant at 0.05 level. Therefore, the hypothesis stated there will be significant association between knowledge score and demographic variables is accepted.

 

CONCLUSION:

This study findings depicted that the urban adolescents have moderate knowledge about ultra processed foods consumption and its associated health risks. Hence, community health nurse should create awareness about health risks of consuming ultra processed foods to prevent obesity, cardio vascular disorders and other non-communicable diseases. Mass media plays a pivotal role in teaching adolescents about the health risks associated with ultra processed foods consumption.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that:

·       A comparative study may be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding health risk associated with ultra foods consumption.

·       A similar study can be conducted on large sample to assess the knowledge regarding ultra food consumption and its associated health risks.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I would like to say heartfelt gratitude my family and colleagues for their valuable support to complete my study.

 

REFERENCES:

Books:

1.      Park K “Preventive and Social Medicine”. 24th edition.

2.      Kamalam S, “Essentials of Community Health Nursing, 1st edition.

3.      Revathy C. Jeya Beulah D, Vidya Dhar Chaurasia. Community Health Nursing – I. 1st edition.

 

Journals:

1.      https://napiindia.in/docs/Ultra-processed-food-products-Impact-on-Human-Health.pdf

2.      https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/consumption-of-ultra-processed-and-fast-foods-leading-cause-of-diabetes-in-india-reveals-new-study/article68729384.ece

3.      World Health Organization Obesity and Overweight. [(accessed on 11 May 2020)];2020 Available online: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

4.      Elizabeth L, Machado P, Zinöcker M, Baker P, Lawrence M. Ultra-Processed Foods and Health Outcomes: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 30; 12(7): 1955. doi: 10.3390/nu12071955. PMID: 32630022; PMCID: PMC7399967.

5.      Jena S, Parida J, Panda A, Behera SS, Pradhan A, Patra PK, Pati S, Kaur H, Acharya SK. Knowledge, practices and influencing factors defining unhealthy food behavior among adolescents in India: a scoping review. Front Psychol. 2023 Jun 8; 14:1161319. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1161319. PMID: 37359888; PMCID: PMC10285663.

6.      Vandevijvere S, Jaacks LM, Monteiro CA, Moubarac JC, Girling-Butcher M, Lee AC, Pan A, Bentham J, Swinburn B. Global trends in ultra processed food and drink product sales and their association with adult body mass index trajectories. Obes Rev. 2019 Nov; 20 Suppl 2:10-19. doi: 10.1111/obr.12860. Epub 2019 May 17. PMID: 31099480.

7.      Rauber F, Chang K, Vamos EP, da Costa Louzada ML, Monteiro CA, Millett C, Levy RB.  Ultra-processed food consumption and risk of obesity: a prospective cohort study of UK Biobank. Eur J Nutr. 2021 Jun; 60(4):2169-2180. doi: 10.1007/s00394-020-02367-1. Epub 2020 Oct 18. PMID: 33070213; PMCID: PMC8137628.

8.      Neri D, et al. NOVA Multi-Country Study Group on Ultra-Processed Foods, Diet Quality and Human Health. Ultra processed food consumption and dietary nutrient profiles associated with obesity: A multicounty study of children and adolescents. Obes Rev. 2022 Jan; 23 Suppl 1:e13387. doi: 10.1111/obr.13387.

9.      https://www.indianpediatrics.net/aug2020/aug-712-714.htm

 

 

 

Received on 06.02.2025         Revised on 16.09.2025

Accepted on 10.01.2026         Published on 10.08.2026

Available online from August 14, 2026

Int. J. of Advances in Nursing Management. 2026;14(3):141-144.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2652.2026.00029

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