Health Report Ultra-processed foods and behaviour in kids
Mar 20, 2026
Dr Shivani Pasricha, lab head developing rapid CRISPR-based STI tests that return results in under an hour. Dr Sarah Holton, senior researcher on women's health priorities beyond reproductive care. They discuss links between toddlers' ultra-processed food intake and later behaviour. They also cover women's ‘silent’ health concerns and how rapid, portable diagnostics could improve care in remote communities.
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Early UPF Intake Predicts Emotional Problems In Preschoolers
- Higher ultra-processed food (UPF) intake at age three is associated with worse behavioral scores at age five, especially internalizing problems like anxiety and withdrawal.
- The Canada Child Cohort (2,000+ children) showed a dose-response relationship and modelling suggested replacing UPFs with minimally processed foods improved outcomes.
Why Ultra-Processed Foods Might Affect Child Behaviour
- Proposed mechanisms linking UPFs to behavior include nutrient displacement, gut microbiome changes, and chronic low-grade inflammation.
- Nutrients implicated include iron, zinc, folate, B12, vitamin D and omega-3s which are important for brain development.
Food Environment Drives UPF Consumption More Than Income
- Family and environmental factors strongly influence UPF intake beyond income alone, including parental diets, commuting time and access to fresh produce.
- The team found accessibility and time pressures push families toward quick UPF options, suggesting policy-level fixes are needed.