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Data

Year of publication

2015

Type

Quantitative

Design

Review

Classification

NOVA (3 groups)

Country studied

Sweden

Data

Secondary

Data Collected

Database

Study setting

N/A

Age group of participant

Adults/18+

Participant sex

Mixed

Target population

General

Sample size

N/A

Trends in consumption of ultra-processed foods and obesity in Sweden between 1960 and 2010

Goal

Investigate the consumption of ultra-processed products in Sweden from 1960 onwards and to see whether such changes were reflected in the national obesity statistics for the same time period.

Results

During the study period consumption of group 1 foods (minimal processing) decreased by 2 %, while consumption of group 2 foods (processed ingredients) decreased by 34 %. Consumption of group 3·1 foods (processed food products) increased by 116 % and group 3·2 foods (ultra-processed products) increased by 142 %. Among ultra-processed products, there were particularly large increases in soda (315 %; 22 v. 92 litres/capita per annum) and snack foods such as crisps and candies (367 %; 7 v. 34 kg/capita per annum). In parallel to these changes in ultra-processed products, rates of adult obesity increased from 5 % in 1980 to over 11 % in 2010. Conclusion : The consumption of ultra-processed products (i.e. foods with low nutritional value but high energy density) has increased dramatically in Sweden since 1960, which mirrors the increased prevalence of obesity. Future research should clarify the potential causal role of ultra-processed products in weight gain and obesity.

Authors

Juul F, Hemmingsson E.

Journal

Public Health Nutrition

DOI

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