What does this research mean for the field?

Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods among Brazilian children aged 6 to 59 months is associated with increased energy and carbohydrate intake but generally contributes little to overall micronutrient intake, leading to decreased dietary quality. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to analyze the nutritional intake of Brazilian children linked to the consumption of ultra-processed foods.

May 16, 2026

Energy and nutrient intake across Nova food groups by quintiles of ultra-processed food energy contribution among Brazilian children aged 6–59 months

Key Points

This research aims to analyze the nutritional intake of Brazilian children linked to the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Analyzed data from a single 24-hour recall from 12,553 children aged 6–59 months.
Categorized foods into Nova groups and assessed energy contributions from each group.
Utilized age-stratified linear regression to evaluate nutrient intake across UPF energy quintiles.
In the lowest UPF quintile, ≤2% of energy came from ultra-processed foods, while >55% came from the highest quintile.
Higher UPF consumption in 6-23m age group linked to lower intakes of certain nutrients like fat and potassium, but higher calcium and iron levels.
In 24-59m, increased UPF quintiles correlated with overall decreased nutrient intake.

Abstract

The objective is to describe energy, macro-, and micronutrient intake according to Nova food groups and to estimate its association with ultra-processed foods (UPF) energy participation in the diets of children, stratified by age (6-23m/24-59m). A single 24-hour recall from 12,553 children in the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition was used to estimate the relative energy contribution of Nova groups: unprocessed or minimally processed foods and culinary ingredients (G1+G2); processed foods (G3); and UPF (G4). Age-stratified linear regression and 95%CI assessed differences in nutrient intake (per 1,000kcal) across UPF energy quintiles. The G1+G2 group accounted for most of the energy consumed (6-23m: 74.5%; 24-59m: 65.1%) compared to G3 or G4. For both age groups, in the lowest quintile of UFP participation, ≤2% of energy came from UPF, while in the highest quintile, this proportion was >55%; and the G1+G2 group provided most nutrients. In 6-23m, higher UPF quintiles were associated with lower fat β: -3.1 (-3.6; -2.5), potassium β: -49.7 (-67.9; -31.4), and vitamin A RAE β: -113.7 (-136.7; -90.6) intake, but higher calcium (β: 75.5 (57.6; 93.4), iron β: 2.9 (2.5; 3.3), vitamin A RE β: 104.3 (72.3; 136.3), and folate β: 15.7 (12.0; 19.5) intake. In 24-59m, nutrient intake generally decreased with increasing UPF quintiles. For 6-23m/24-59m, UPF consumption was positively associated with energy β: 73.6 (44.6; 102.7); 92.8 (66.7; 118.8), respectively and carbohydrate β: 7.3 (5.8; 8.7); 2.3 (1.2; 3.3), respectively, while contributing little to overall micronutrient intake.

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