Ultra-Processed Foods and Their Role in Obesity Development

Increasing prevalence of obesity in both adults and children is one of the most negative aspects of post-industrial society. The causes of obesity are complicated and still are not investigated well. However, it has been established that environmental factors affecting dietary choices and motor activity are crucial in this disease pathogenesis. Changing diets among world’s population, and primarily among children and adolescents, are associated with popularization of the consumption of energyrich foods undergoing high degree processing. Ultra-processed foods traditionally include fast food, soft drinks, packaged sweet or salty snacks, non-perishable bakery products with big amount of baking powders, self-service meats, and preprepared frozen dishes that have long shelf life and are ready-to-eat. The aim of the study was to analyze current literature regarding relationship between ultra-processed foods consumption and obesity development risk in patients of different ages. Consumption of ultra-processed foods contributes to increase in the number of overweight individuals (both among adults and children), according to research. The data presented in the study is crucial for better understanding of the need for public health nutrition policy changes to promote health and prevent chronic noncommunicable diseases by reducing the proportion of ultra-processed foods consumed among children and adolescents.