Ultra-processed food consumption linked to heightened brain reward responses in children

A study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that children who consume high amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) exhibit stronger brain activity in reward systems when viewing appetizing food images. This heightened neurological response is associated with increased body fat over a one-year period.

Ultra-processed foods, such as breakfast cereals, packaged breads, and instant soups, account for approximately 67% of calories consumed by children in the United States. These products are often engineered for appeal and convenience, frequently containing artificial sweeteners and coloring agents.

Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dietary assessments, and body composition measurements to investigate these biological processes. Senior author Kathleen A. Page, a professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, noted that the developing brain is particularly sensitive to the food environment during childhood.