--- title: Children Who Eat More Ultra-Processed Food Gain Weight More Quickly description: Ultra-processed food consumption led to a more rapid increase in their BMI, weight, waist circumference and body fat as the children grew up. image: https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hubfs/Processed%20Foods.jpeg --- [PATIENT PORTAL](https://totalaccess.healthyhumans.com) [PAY ONLINE](https://www.totalaccessmedical.com/pay-online/) [![Total Access Medical LLC Logo](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hs-fs/file-2447450201-png/images/tam-logo.png?width=270&name=tam-logo.png "Total Access Medical LLC Logo")](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/) ≡ - [How We Fit Into Your Life](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/) - [What Is Concierge Medicine?](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/concierge-medicine/) - [Member Stories](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/concierge-medical-care-testimonials/) - [Doctor Stories](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/boutique-medicine/) - [About](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/about-concierge-health-services/) - [Founder's Story](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/about-concierge-health-services/concierge-practices-story/) - [Doctors](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/doctors) - [Specialties](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/) - [Family Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/main-line-family-medicine/) - [Internal Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/internal-medicine-philadelphia/) - [Holistic Medicine Integrative Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/holistic-medicine-philadelphia/) - [Geriatric Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/geriatric-doctors/) - [Getting Started](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/getting-started-concierge-care/) - [How TAM Works with Insurance](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/concierge-medicine-and-insurance/) - [HSA & FSA](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/explained-fsa-and-hsa-for-concierge-medicine) - [FAQ](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/getting-started-concierge-care/faq/) - [Plans & Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/) - [Individual Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/use-personal-wellness-program-take-care/) - [Family Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/concierge-family-medicine-programs/) - [Corporate Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/corporate-health-programs/) - [Senior Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/boutique-medicine-seniors/) - [Blog](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog) - [Living Well](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog) - [TRANSITIONING TO DPC](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/en/blog-transition) - Shop [About](http://totalaccessmedical.com/about/) [Blog](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/) # Total Access Medical - Direct Primary Care Blog # Children Who Eat More Ultra-Processed Food Gain Weight More Quickly Posted by [Total Access Medical](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/author/total-access-medical) on Jul 20, 2021 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Processed Foods](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Processed%20Foods.jpeg?width=856&name=Processed%20Foods.jpeg)A 17-year study of more than 9,000 children suggests that children who eat more ultra-processed food are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults. The researchers also found that ultra-processed foods -- including frozen pizzas, fizzy drinks, mass-produced bread and some ready-to-eat meals -- accounted for a very high proportion of children's diets -- more than 60% of calories on average. One of the key things uncovered here is a dose-response relationship.   This means that it's not only the children who eat the most ultra-processed foods that have the worst weight gain, but also the more they eat, the worse this gets.   Industrial food processing modifies foods to change their consistency, taste, color and shelf life, using mechanical or chemical alternation to make them more palatable, cheap, appealing and convenient -- processes which don't happen in home-cooked meals. Ultra-processed foods tend to be more energy-dense and nutritionally poorer. They often have high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fats but low levels of protein, dietary fiber and micronutrients, and they are aggressively marketed by the food industry.   The link between child health and ultra-processed food was complex, and socio-economic factors likely played a large role.    The results of this study are not surprising: children who consume a lot of 'ultra-processed' foods are most likely to be less healthy and more obese than their peers with lower intake. The interpretation of these results are however much more difficult.   The outcome of the study is heavily confounded by socio-economic factors: children living in more deprived areas and from families with lower educational attainment and lower socio-economic status had the highest intake of ultra-processed foods. Unfortunately, these children are also at highest risk of obesity and poor health, as there are still considerable health-inequalities in the UK and socio-economic status is an important determinant of health.   The researchers found, on average, that children in the groups that ate more ultra-processed foods saw a more rapid increase in their BMI, weight, waist circumference and body fat as they grew up.   While the study shows a link between eating ultra processed foods and increases in BMI and body fat, it doesn't definitively show cause and effect.   According to the researchers, more radical and effective measures are needed to reduce children's exposure and consumption of ultra-processed foods. --- [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/383975/00ca31ab-c428-4e7c-b496-e2a751a1e840.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/383975/00ca31ab-c428-4e7c-b496-e2a751a1e840) - [Transitioning to DPC](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/en/blog-transition) - [Health](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog) ### Subscribe to Blog ### Posts by Topic - [Diet (51)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/diet) - [Healthy Eating (46)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/healthy-eating) - [Concierge Medicine (43)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/concierge-medicine) - [Recent Research (41)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/recent-research) - [Nutrition (38)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/nutrition) - [Direct Primary Care (37)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/direct-primary-care) - [Exercise (32)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/exercise) - [Health (30)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/health) - [Weight Loss (27)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/weight-loss) - [Healthcare Today (26)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/healthcare-today) - [Primary Care Today (25)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/primary-care-today) - [Wellness (25)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/wellness) - [Staying Healthy (22)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/staying-healthy) - [Healthy Mind (20)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/healthy-mind) - [Cancer (19)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/cancer) - [Personal Wellness Plan (18)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/personal-wellness-plan) - [Female Health (16)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/female-health) - [Breast cancer (15)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/breast-cancer) - [Physician Shortage (15)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/physician-shortage) - [Aging (14)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/aging) - [Executive Health (13)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/executive-health) - [Heart Health (12)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/heart-health) - [flu (12)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/flu) - [prevention (12)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/prevention) - [Diabetes (11)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/diabetes) - [Stress Management (11)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/stress-management) - [brain health (9)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/brain-health) - [Alzheimer's (7)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/alzheimers) - [Men's Health (7)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/mens-health) - [Doctor's Appointments (6)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/doctors-appointments) - [Elder Care (6)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/elder-care) - [Healthcare (6)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/healthcare) - [philadelphia (6)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/philadelphia) - [Diabetes Management (5)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/diabetes-management) - [Dr. Daphne Goldberg (5)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/dr-daphne-goldberg) - [Family Medicine (5)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/family-medicine) - [Concierge Primary Care Physicians (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/concierge-primary-care-physicians) - [Dr. David Perkins (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/dr-david-perkins) - [Dr. Teresa A. Saris (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/dr-teresa-a-saris) - [Holistic Medicine (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/holistic-medicine) - [Home Care (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/home-care) - [Lung Cancer (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/lung-cancer) - [Summer (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/summer) - [mental health (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/mental-health) - [Cervical Cancer (3)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/cervical-cancer) - [Dr. Frank Pettinelli, Jr. (3)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/dr-frank-pettinelli-jr) - [2018 (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/2018) - [Chronic Pain (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/chronic-pain) - [Electronic Medical Records (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/electronic-medical-records) - [Geriatric Medicine (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/geriatric-medicine) - [Inflammation (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/inflammation) - [Safety (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/safety) - [obesity (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/obesity) - [smoking (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/smoking) - [sugar (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/sugar) - [trends (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/trends) - [winter (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/winter) - [2017 (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/2017) - [Arthritis (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/arthritis) - [CNN (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/cnn) - [CTE concussion (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/cte-concussion) - [Chronic Conditions (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/chronic-conditions) - [Dr. Bruce Sokoloff (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/dr-bruce-sokoloff) - [FAQ (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/faq) - [Google (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/google) - [Insomnia (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/insomnia) - [Internal Medicine (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/internal-medicine) - [Recreation (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/recreation) - [ambulance (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/ambulance) - [bill gates (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/bill-gates) - [blood pressure (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/blood-pressure) - [cold (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/cold) - [college (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/college) - [digital (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/digital) - [disease (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/disease) - [eagles (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/eagles) - [emergency room (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/emergency-room) - [functional medicine (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/functional-medicine) - [healthcare cost (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/healthcare-cost) - [heart (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/heart) - [holiday (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/holiday) - [hydration (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/hydration) - [hypertension (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/hypertension) - [lifestyle (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/lifestyle) - [new year (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/new-year) - [pills (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/pills) - [region (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/region) - [sensors (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/sensors) - [snoring (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/snoring) - [students (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/students) - [superbowl (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/superbowl) - [tamiflu (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/tamiflu) - [thanksgiving (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/thanksgiving) - [treatment (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/treatment) - [vaccine (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/vaccine) - [vitamin b12 (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/vitamin-b12) - [weather (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/weather) see all #### Concierge Programs - [Individual Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/use-personal-wellness-program-take-care/) - [Family Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/concierge-family-medicine-programs/) - [Corporate Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/corporate-health-programs/) - [How TAM Works With Insurance](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/concierge-medicine-and-insurance/) - [About Us](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/about-concierge-health-services/) #### Meet the Doctors - [Our Doctors](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/doctors) - [Member Stories](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/concierge-medical-care-testimonials/) - [Doctor Stories](http://http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/boutique-medicine/) #### Specialties - [Family Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/main-line-family-medicine/) - [Internal Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/internal-medicine-philadelphia/) - [Holistic Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/holistic-medicine-philadelphia/) - [Geriatrics](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/geriatric-doctors/) ### Newsletter Copyright © 2026 Total Access Medical, All Rights Reserved. Built by [Bumblebee Media](http://bumblebeemedia.org/) [Disclaimer](https://www.totalaccessmedical.com/disclaimer/) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.totalaccessmedical.com/privacy-policy/) [![icon-linkedin](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hs-fs/file-2105701761-jpg/Email_Images/icon-linkedin.jpg?width=36&name=icon-linkedin.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/total-access-medical)   [![icon-twitter](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hs-fs/file-2106151829-jpg/Email_Images/icon-twitter.jpg?width=36&name=icon-twitter.jpg)](https://twitter.com/totalaccessmed)   [![icon-facebook](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hs-fs/file-2106151824-jpg/Email_Images/icon-facebook.jpg?width=36&name=icon-facebook.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/TotalAccessMedical)   [![icon-youtube](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hs-fs/file-2105701741-jpg/Email_Images/icon-youtube.jpg?width=36&name=icon-youtube.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/totalaccessmedical) ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/962285871/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0)