Ultra-processed food consumption in Scotland: A nationally representative analysis of sociodemographic patterns and dietary contributions.

IF 3 3区医学 Q2 NUTRITION & DIETETICS

Public Health Nutrition Pub Date : 2026-04-30 DOI:10.1017/S1368980026102559

Josephine Curtis, Nick Townsend

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective: To quantify ultra-processed food (UPF) intake in Scotland, identify key contributing food groups, and examine sociodemographic associations using nationally representative data.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of 2021 Scottish Health Survey data using two-day dietary recalls via Intake24 classified by NOVA. UPF intake was calculated as percentage of total energy intake (%TEI) and grams per day (g/day). Multivariable linear regression assessed associations with sex, age, ethnicity, income, socioeconomic classification, highest educational qualification, urban/rural location, region, and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintiles.

Setting: Nationally representative sample of Scottish households.

Participants: Individuals aged 16 or over with complete dietary and sociodemographic data (n = 2,645).

Results: Mean energy intake was 1,637.8 kcal/day (95% CI 1615.8, 1659.8). Mean UPF consumption was 666.9 g/day (95% CI: 647.9, 685.9), amounting to 919.9 kcal/day (95% CI 901.1, 938.6), representing 55.4% of TEI (95% CI: 54.7, 56.2) and 28.2% of total food weight. The main contributors to UPF intake were cereal products (244.8 kcal/day, 27.0% of UPF kcal), confectionery (170.3 kcal/day, 17.9%), and meats (153.6 kcal/day, 16.2%). Sandwiches (99.9% UPF), salty snacks (94.1%), and dietary supplements (90.5%) showed highest UPF proportions by food groups. Adjusted analyses revealed greater UPF consumption (%TEI) among: males (β = -3.3, p < 0.001), younger adults (β = -2.8 per decade, p < 0.001), White participants (β = +12.9 vs Non-White, p < 0.001), and lower SIMD quintile (β = -1.8 per quintile, p < 0.001). Similar patterns emerged for absolute intake (g/day).

Conclusions: UPF dominates Scotland's diet, with inequitable distribution across sociodemographic groups. Policy actions - such as adopting NOVA in dietary guidelines and restricting UPF marketing - are urgently needed to address this public health crisis.

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苏格兰的超加工食品消费：对社会人口模式和饮食贡献的全国代表性分析。

目的：量化苏格兰超加工食品（UPF）的摄入量，确定关键的贡献食物群体，并使用全国代表性数据检查社会人口统计学关联。设计：对2021年苏格兰健康调查数据进行横断面分析，使用由NOVA分类的Intake24进行为期两天的饮食回顾。UPF摄入量以总能量摄入的百分比（%TEI）和克数（g/day）计算。多变量线性回归评估了与性别、年龄、种族、收入、社会经济分类、最高教育资格、城市/农村位置、地区和苏格兰多重剥夺指数（SIMD）五分位数的关系。背景：苏格兰家庭的全国代表性样本。参与者：有完整饮食和社会人口统计数据的16岁或以上的个体（n = 2645）。结果：平均能量摄入为1637.8千卡/天（95% CI为1615.8,1659.8）。平均UPF摄入量为666.9克/天（95% CI: 647.9, 685.9），相当于919.9千卡/天（95% CI: 901.1, 938.6），占TEI的55.4% （95% CI: 54.7, 56.2）和总食物重量的28.2%。UPF摄入量的主要来源是谷物产品（244.8千卡/天，占UPF热量的27.0%），糖果（170.3千卡/天，17.9%）和肉类（153.6千卡/天，16.2%）。按食品分类，三明治（99.9%）、咸零食（94.1%）和膳食补充剂（90.5%）的UPF比例最高。调整后的分析显示：男性（β = -3.3, p < 0.001）、年轻人（β = -2.8 / 10年，p < 0.001）、白人参与者（β = +12.9 vs非白人，p < 0.001）和较低的SIMD五分位数（β = -1.8 /五分位数，p < 0.001）的UPF消耗（%TEI）更高。绝对摄入量（克/天）也出现了类似的模式。结论：UPF在苏格兰的饮食中占主导地位，在不同的社会人口群体中分布不公平。迫切需要采取政策行动，例如在膳食指南中采用NOVA和限制UPF营销，以应对这一公共卫生危机。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Public Health Nutrition 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

6.10

自引率

6.20%

发文量

521

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： Public Health Nutrition provides an international peer-reviewed forum for the publication and dissemination of research and scholarship aimed at understanding the causes of, and approaches and solutions to nutrition-related public health achievements, situations and problems around the world. The journal publishes original and commissioned articles, commentaries and discussion papers for debate. The journal is of interest to epidemiologists and health promotion specialists interested in the role of nutrition in disease prevention; academics and those involved in fieldwork and the application of research to identify practical solutions to important public health problems.