Nutrients
Prevalence, Regional Variation, and Energy Cost of Ultra-Processed Foods Marketed to Children in Türkiye
By Gonca Yıldırım, Esra Tansu Sarıyer, Ekin Çevik and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are becoming more common in children’s dietary habits, yet little is known about products marketed specifically to children in Türkiye. This research assessed the frequency, geographic differences, and energy-standardized cost of UPFs targeted at children.
Methods
This cross-sectional study identified 340 food and beverage products aimed at children in six Turkish cities with varying regional income levels. We categorized items according to the NOVA framework. The prevalence of UPFs was analyzed by different cities, and the cost per 100 kcal was assessed between UPFs and non-UPFs.
Results
Overall, 66.8% of products were classified as UPFs. Prevalence ranged from 53.3% to 83.7% across cities and differed significantly by product category. All milks, confections, and custards were UPFs of childhood. Most fruit and vegetable purees were not UPFs. The main markers of ultra-processing were added sugars, emulsifiers, and flavorants. The median cost for every 100 kcal was lower for UPFs than for non-UPFs (21.45 vs. 67.47 TRY, p < 0.001). After controlling for study city, non-UPFs had 2.87 times higher costs per 100 kcal than UPFs (95% CI: 2.27–3.62), but this association was not significant after further controlling for product category.