Eating context and its association with ultra-processed food consumption by British children

This study aimed to investigate the patterns of eating context and its association with ultra-processed food consumption by British children. This cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of UK children aged 4-10 years old (n = 1772) from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008/2014. Data on food consumption, meal context and ultra-processed food consumption were assessed through a four-day food diary. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the patterns of eating context and these patterns' association with the daily consumption of ultra-processed food was verified by linear regression analyses. Ultra-processed foods comprised 65.4% of the total daily energy intake. At lunch, higher ultra-processed food consumption was associated with the patterns Eating with family while watching TV (64.9% in the lowest tertile to 68.1% in the highest tertile) and Eating away from home (65.2%-67.7%, respectively), while the eating pattern Eating at school with friends was associated with lower ultra-processed food consumption (66.6%-64.7%, respectively). At dinner, higher ultra-processed food consumption was associated with the patterns Eating with family while watching TV (64.6%-67.1%, respectively) and Eating alone in the bedroom (63.9%-66.5%, respectively). Eating alone, eating whilst watching TV, and eating away from home stood out as patterns of eating context associated with the increased consumption of ultra-processed food.

Automated summary

This study found that eating context patterns are associated with consumption of ultra-processed food among British children. Ultra-processed foods constitute a significant portion of daily energy intake, and eating with family while watching TV, eating away from home, or eating alone were highlighted as patterns associated with higher consumption of ultra-processed food.