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Ultra‐processed foods and the nutrition transition: Global, regional and national trends, food systems transformations and political economy drivers
Author(s) -
Baker Phillip,
Machado Priscila,
Santos Thiago,
Sievert Katherine,
Backholer Kathryn,
Hadjikakou Michalis,
Russell Cherie,
Huse Oliver,
Bell Colin,
Scrinis Gyorgy,
Worsley Anthony,
Friel Sharon,
Lawrence Mark
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
obesity reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.845
H-Index - 162
eISSN - 1467-789X
pISSN - 1467-7881
DOI - 10.1111/obr.13126
Subject(s) - nutrition transition , latin americans , industrialisation , per capita , globalization , food systems , politics , consumption (sociology) , food security , food processing , development economics , business , economic growth , economics , political science , geography , agriculture , environmental health , medicine , market economy , obesity , population , social science , archaeology , overweight , sociology , law
Summary Understanding the drivers and dynamics of global ultra‐processed food (UPF) consumption is essential, given the evidence linking these foods with adverse health outcomes. In this synthesis review, we take two steps. First, we quantify per capita volumes and trends in UPF sales, and ingredients (sweeteners, fats, sodium and cosmetic additives) supplied by these foods, in countries classified by income and region. Second, we review the literature on food systems and political economy factors that likely explain the observed changes. We find evidence for a substantial expansion in the types and quantities of UPFs sold worldwide, representing a transition towards a more processed global diet but with wide variations between regions and countries. As countries grow richer, higher volumes and a wider variety of UPFs are sold. Sales are highest in Australasia, North America, Europe and Latin America but growing rapidly in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. These developments are closely linked with the industrialization of food systems, technological change and globalization, including growth in the market and political activities of transnational food corporations and inadequate policies to protect nutrition in these new contexts. The scale of dietary change underway, especially in highly populated middle‐income countries, raises serious concern for global health.