Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become a dominant component of modern diets, characterized by their high content of added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives. These foods are linked to poor dietary quality and numerous adverse health outcomes, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. The convenience and aggressive marketing of UPFs have led to their widespread consumption, displacing more nutritious whole foods. Additionally, the production and consumption of UPFs pose significant challenges to sustainability and environmental health. Understanding the impact of UPFs is fundamental for developing strategies to improve public health and promote sustainable food systems.
The goal of this Research Topic is to address the pressing issue of ultra-processed food consumption and its broad implications for health, policy, and sustainability. Despite growing awareness of the health risks associated with UPFs, these products remain prevalent in diets worldwide. This Research Topic aims to investigate the relationship between UPF consumption and the incidence of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions, helping to create targeted nutritional guidelines and interventions. It will assess the effectiveness of existing policies, including front-of-package labeling, advertising restrictions, and taxation, in reducing UPF consumption and informing future policy development. Additionally, it will explore advances in public health campaigns and educational programs aimed at shifting consumer behavior towards healthier food choices, emphasizing the importance of effective communication strategies for changing dietary habits. Furthermore, the environmental impact of UPFs will be analyzed, alongside the investigation of sustainable alternatives, to promote environmentally friendly food production and consumption practices essential for long-term health and ecological balance. By addressing these aspects, this Research Topic seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of UPFs and foster multidisciplinary approaches to mitigate their adverse effects on health and the environment.
This Research Topic invites contributions that explore the multifaceted impact of ultra-processed foods on health, policy, and sustainability. We welcome manuscripts that address the following themes:
1. Dietary Patterns and Health Outcomes: Studies examining the associations between UPF consumption and various health outcomes.
2. Policy and Regulatory Interventions: Research evaluating the effectiveness of current policies in reducing UPF consumption and promoting healthier dietary choices.
3. Public Awareness and Educational Programs: Analyses of public health campaigns and educational initiatives aimed at decreasing UPF consumption.
4. Environmental Impact and Sustainability: Investigations into the environmental consequences of UPF production and consumption, and the development of sustainable alternatives.
Types of manuscripts accepted include original research articles, reviews, systematic reviews, and policy briefs.
Keywords:
ultra-processed foods, dietary patterns, health outcomes, policy interventions, public health education, sustainability
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become a dominant component of modern diets, characterized by their high content of added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives. These foods are linked to poor dietary quality and numerous adverse health outcomes, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. The convenience and aggressive marketing of UPFs have led to their widespread consumption, displacing more nutritious whole foods. Additionally, the production and consumption of UPFs pose significant challenges to sustainability and environmental health. Understanding the impact of UPFs is fundamental for developing strategies to improve public health and promote sustainable food systems.
The goal of this Research Topic is to address the pressing issue of ultra-processed food consumption and its broad implications for health, policy, and sustainability. Despite growing awareness of the health risks associated with UPFs, these products remain prevalent in diets worldwide. This Research Topic aims to investigate the relationship between UPF consumption and the incidence of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions, helping to create targeted nutritional guidelines and interventions. It will assess the effectiveness of existing policies, including front-of-package labeling, advertising restrictions, and taxation, in reducing UPF consumption and informing future policy development. Additionally, it will explore advances in public health campaigns and educational programs aimed at shifting consumer behavior towards healthier food choices, emphasizing the importance of effective communication strategies for changing dietary habits. Furthermore, the environmental impact of UPFs will be analyzed, alongside the investigation of sustainable alternatives, to promote environmentally friendly food production and consumption practices essential for long-term health and ecological balance. By addressing these aspects, this Research Topic seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of UPFs and foster multidisciplinary approaches to mitigate their adverse effects on health and the environment.
This Research Topic invites contributions that explore the multifaceted impact of ultra-processed foods on health, policy, and sustainability. We welcome manuscripts that address the following themes:
1. Dietary Patterns and Health Outcomes: Studies examining the associations between UPF consumption and various health outcomes.
2. Policy and Regulatory Interventions: Research evaluating the effectiveness of current policies in reducing UPF consumption and promoting healthier dietary choices.
3. Public Awareness and Educational Programs: Analyses of public health campaigns and educational initiatives aimed at decreasing UPF consumption.
4. Environmental Impact and Sustainability: Investigations into the environmental consequences of UPF production and consumption, and the development of sustainable alternatives.
Types of manuscripts accepted include original research articles, reviews, systematic reviews, and policy briefs.
Keywords:
ultra-processed foods, dietary patterns, health outcomes, policy interventions, public health education, sustainability
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.