Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Childhood Obesity in Boys: Study

Young boys with diets high in ultra-processed foods are more likely to experience obesity by age 5, adding to concerns about the risk of childhood diabetes and fatty liver disease later in life.

Amid mounting evidence that ultra-processed foods pose serious health risks for children, new research suggests that the junk food is more likely to cause obesity in boys between the ages of 3 and 5, compared to girls in the same age group.

According to a report published in JAMA Network Open on January 31, Canadian researchers indicate the obesity side effects of ultra-processed food on children require further investigation, as previous studies have linked these products to an increased risk of obesity in adults.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) mimic the taste, appearance and texture of real food. They combine heavily refined ingredients with food additives, like emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners and preservatives, to enhance taste, texture and shelf-life while offering no real nutritional benefits. A wide variety of commonly consumed products are considered ultra-processed foods, including sugary breakfast cereals, frozen ready-to-eat meals, soda and chips.

As these food items have become a staple in many households, recent studies have begun to explore potential connections between ultra-processed foods and various adverse health outcomes, such as metabolic disruptions, inflammation and other chronic conditions.

In December 2023, a study published in Diabetes Care found that a 10% increase in ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption was associated with a 12% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, underscoring the direct relationship between these foods and the disease. Additionally, a comprehensive meta-analysis published in Advances in Nutrition in January 2024 revealed that adults and children with the highest intake of UPFs faced a 37% greater risk of type 2 diabetes.

As a result, ultra-processed food lawsuits are being filed by individuals and families of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or fatty liver disease, claiming that the food industry has employed marketing practices that prioritized profits over consumer safety, while failing to disclose the health risks presented by ultra-processed foods.

In the new study, a team of researchers looked at data on 2,217 Canadian children who had a median age of five years old at the end of the study. Among the participants, 1,175 were boys.

The team, led by Zheng Hao Chen of the University of Toronto, determined that the boys included in the study received a greater amount of their caloric intake from ultra-processed food than the girls.

These higher rates of ultra-processed food intake among male children at 3 years old led to higher obesity rates for those children two years later. In particular, boys who consumed higher rates of ultra-processed foods at 3 years old, were observed to have higher rates of body fat, weight-to-height ratios and obesity at 5 years old. There was no similar correlation among the girls in the study.

However, the study’s authors pointed out that it has been well-documented that boys and girls store fat differently. For this reason, they recommend further studies into whether total and regional body fat compositions would yield the same results.

“In this cohort study of Canadian children, UPF intake represented almost half of all energy intake, which warrants public health attention,” Chen said. “Our results also suggest sex-driven associations between preschool UPF intake and obesity development. Future studies should examine the underlying mechanism and determine the long-term impact of UPF on youth health.”

Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuits

As more evidence emerges about the dangers posed by widely marketed junk foods, ultra-processed food injury lawyers are investigating potential claims for individuals and families of children who were diagnosed with chronic health conditions caused by consumption of these foods.

Companies targeted by ultra-processed food childhood diabetes and fatty liver disease lawsuits include major industry players, such as:

• Kraft Heinz Company, Inc.
• Mondelēz International, Inc.
• The Coca-Cola Company
• PepsiCo, Inc.
• General Mills, Inc.
• Nestlé USA, Inc.
• Kellogg’s (Kellanova and WK Kellogg Co.)
• Mars Incorporated, Inc.
• Conagra Brands, Inc.
• Post Holdings, Inc.

Free consultations and claim evaluations are being offered to individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease before the age of 18 after regularly consuming ultra-processed foods.

To learn more about ultra-processed foods lawsuits, or to see if your child qualifies for a childhood diabetes lawsuit settlement, fill out the form below to have your potential claim reviewed by a lawyer. Attorneys handle all ultra-processed food lawsuits on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no fees or expenses paid unless a settlement or lawsuit payout is received.