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Ultraprocessed food consumption and behavioral outcomes in Canadian children
This cohort study explores the relationship between ultraprocessed food (UPF) intake at age 3 and behavioral outcomes at age 5 among preschool-aged children in Canada. Conducted within the CHILD Cohort Study, which includes dietary and behavioral data from September 2011 to April 2018, the study analyzed data from 2077 participants. At age 3, UPF accounted for a mean of 45.5% of total energy intake. Behavioral assessment was conducted using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), with higher scores indicating more adverse symptoms. Results indicated that each 10% increase in energy derived from UPF was correlated with higher scores in internalizing (β = 0.81), externalizing (β = 0.47), and total behavior (β = 0.64). Conversely, substituting 10% of UPF energy with minimally processed foods (MPF) yielded lower scores for internalizing (β = -0.91), externalizing (β = -0.49), and total behavior (β = -0.70). These findings underscore the potential for dietary interventions during early childhood to enhance behavioral development and promote long-term mental health. [NPID: Behavioral outcomes, UPF, early childhood]
Year: 2026
