Sex-Dependent Effects of the Intake of NOVA Classified Ultra-Processed Foods on Syndrome Metabolic Components in Brazilian Adults

Longitudinal studies evaluating the relationship between UPF consumption and the incidence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its components are still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of UPF consumption on the incidence of MetS and its components in adults. A prospective study was conducted with 896 participants from the 1978/79 Ribeirão Preto cohort, São Paulo, Brazil. UPF consumption was evaluated in %kcal and %g at ages 23–25 years. Incidence of MetS and its components were estimated at ages 37–39 years, according to the Joint Interim Statement criteria. Poisson regression was used to assess associations, and interactions with sex were investigated. UPF consumption had no association with MetS (%kcal Adjusted PR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99–1.01; %g Adjusted PR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99–1.01). However, women with higher UPF consumption, in %kcal and %g, had a higher risk of abdominal obesity (%kcal: p = 0.030; %g: p = 0.003); and women with higher UPF consumption, in %g, had a higher risk of low HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.041). For the other components of MetS, no significant associations were observed in either sex. These findings suggest evidence of no association between UPF consumption and MetS; however, consumption of UPF was associated with increased WC and low HDL-c, but only in women.     

Ultra-Processed Foods and Drinks Consumption Is Associated with Psychosocial Functioning in Adolescents

Adolescents show one of the highest rates of ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPF) consumption, and studies indicate an association between their consumption and internalizing problems. We aim to investigate whether UPF consumption associates with dysfunctions in other psychosocial domains, as well as sex effects. In 560 Spanish adolescents (14–17 years old), we assessed the UPF products consumed in the previous day, fruits and vegetables consumption (servings/day), and physical activity (days/week). Psychosocial functioning (total and subscales) was assessed through the Pediatric Symptom Checklist–Youth self-report. Associations between UPF and psychosocial functioning were assessed using linear regression models, adjusting for sex, age, fruits and vegetables consumption, and physical activity. Sex-specific associations were also explored. Participants reported a daily consumption of 7.72 UPF servings per day, with male adolescents showing higher consumption than female adolescents. Consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical activity levels were lower than recommended. Psychosocial impairment was present in 26.2% of the participants. Higher UPF consumption was associated with higher presence of depressive symptoms and internalizing and externalizing problems in the whole sample and in male adolescents. The present study supports previous studies suggesting that UPF consumption may interact with mental health problems and indicates that these effects may go beyond internalizing problems.     

Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods Is Inversely Associated with Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet: A Cross-Sectional Study

Information on the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in relation to an adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) is limited. Our aim was to assess UPF consumption in a group of Italian adults and to evaluate the relationship with the MD adherence. A total of 670 participants (median age: 30 years) were included in the analysis. The consumption of UPF was assessed through the NOVA Food Frequency Questionnaire (NFFQ). Adherence to the MD was assessed through the Medi-Lite score. The percentage of UPF in the diet was 16.4% corresponding to 299 g of UPF per day. These amounts were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in men than in women and came mainly from ready-to-eat meals or pre-packaged bread, bread alternatives, pizza, frozen potato chips (24.5% of total UPF intake), pre-packaged biscuits and sweets (20.7%), soft drinks (15.8%), and dairy products such as flavored yogurt (12%). As to the MD adherence, a significant inverse association between the Medi-Lite score and the percentage of UPF in the diet (R = −0.35; p < 0.001) was observed. Participants with a low adherence to the MD had a significantly higher contribution of UPF in the diet (22.2%) compared to those with a moderate (16.2%) and high (12.6%) adherence. In terms of individual UPF, the largest difference between low and high MD adherents was observed for pre-packaged biscuits and sweets, soft and energy drinks, sausages and other reconstituted meat products, and pre-packaged bread and bread alternatives. These results suggest that public health strategies are needed to implement more effective actions to promote healthy eating habits in the population.     

Modelling the Impact of Reducing Ultra-Processed Foods Based on the NOVA Classification in Australian Women of Reproductive Age

Women of reproductive age have a high proportion of overweight/obesity and an overall poor nutritional intake and diet quality. Nutritional modelling is a method to forecast potential changes in nutrition composition that may offer feasible and realistic changes to dietary intake. This study uses simulation modelling to estimate feasible population improvements in dietary profile by reducing ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption in Australian women of reproductive age. The simulation used weighted data from the most recent 2011–2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. A total of 2749 women aged 19–50 years was included, and 5740 foods were examined. The highest daily energy, saturated fat, and added sugar and sodium came from UPF. Reducing UPF by 50% decreased energy intake by 22%, and saturated fat, added sugar, sodium, and alcohol by 10–39%. Reducing UPF by 50% and increasing unprocessed or minimally processed foods by 25% led to a lower estimated reduction in energy and greater estimated reductions in saturated fat and sodium. Replacement of 50% UPF with 75% of unprocessed or minimally processed foods led to smaller estimated reductions in energy and nutrients. Our results provide insight as to the potential impact of population reductions in UPF, but also increasing intake of unprocessed or minimally processed foods, which may be the most feasible strategy for improved nutritional intake.     

Lower Dietary Calcium Intake is Associated with a Higher Risk of Mortality in Korean Adults

BackgroundCalcium, one of the most abundant minerals in the human body, has a pivotal role in human physiology. However, only a few studies have examined the association of dietary calcium intake with mortality in a population with low calcium intake.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the association of dietary calcium intake with risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality among Korean adults with low calcium intake.DesignThis study was a prospective cohort study.Participants/settingThe analysis was conducted using data from 44,327 eligible Korean adults aged 19 years and older who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2015. Dietary calcium intake was assessed using 1-day 24-hour recall data.Main outcome measuresThe main outcomes of this study were mortality from all causes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and all other causes combined. The outcome was ascertained through linkage to the death registry compiled by Statistics Korea with the use of the resident registration number.Statistical analyses performedWeighted Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios and 95% CIs of the all-cause and cause-specific mortality according to dietary calcium intake.ResultsDuring a mean follow-up of 7.28 person-years, 1,889 deaths were ascertained. After multivariable adjustment, the hazard ratios for all-cause mortality for the second quintile to the highest quintile of dietary calcium intake, respectively, compared with the first quintile were 0.86 (95% CI 0.73 to 1.00), 0.82 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.98), 0.85 (95% CI 0.69 to 1.03), and 0.78 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.96) (P for trend from the lowest to the highest quintile = .04). There were no statistically significant associations between dietary calcium intake and risk of mortality from cancer, cardiovascular, or respiratory disease.ConclusionsIn this large prospective cohort study of Korean adults, lower dietary calcium intake was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality.     

Dietary factors related to hypertension risk in Korean adults-data from the Korean national health and nutrition examination survey III

Regional differences between large cities and rural areas are observed in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). This present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary factors on hypertension risk in Korean populations, especially residents of the Chungcheong province which was not in metropolitan area, using KNHANES III. A total of 544 adults aged ≥ 19 years were placed into either the normotensive or the hypertensive group. Subject characteristics, BMI, blood pressure, and nutrient intakes were compared between the two groups using a chi-square test and t-test. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) using multiple logistic regression, adjusted for energy intake and selected covariates. There were significant differences in age, education level, alcohol consumption, and BMI between the normotensive and hypertensive groups. We found decreased ORs for the medium versus lowest tertile of calcium intake (multivariate OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.21-0.88), for the highest versus lowest tertile of calcium intake (multivariate OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20-0.90) with significant trends in risk (P = 0.040), and for the medium versus lowest tertile of potassium intake (multivariate OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20-0.89). Subjects with the highest sodium/calcium ratio had a 2.10-fold greater risk of hypertension compared to the subject with the lowest, with significant trends in risk (P = 0.002). Adequate calcium and potassium intake should be encouraged and regional differences should be considered in making a healthy plan for hypertension management.     

Analysis of the Effects of Nutrient Intake and Dietary Habits on Depression in Korean Adults

While several studies have explored nutrient intake and dietary habits associated with depression, few studies have reflected recent trends and demographic factors. Therefore, we examined how nutrient intake and eating habits are associated with depression, according to gender and age. We performed simple and multiple regressions using nationally representative samples of 10,106 subjects from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The results indicated that cholesterol, dietary fiber, sodium, frequency of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and eating out were significantly associated with depression (p-value < 0.05). Moreover, depression was associated with nutrient intake and dietary habits by gender and age group: sugar, breakfast, lunch, and eating out frequency in the young women’s group; sodium and lunch frequency among middle-age men; dietary fibers, breakfast, and eating out frequency among middle-age women; energy, moisture, carbohydrate, lunch, and dinner frequency in late middle-age men; breakfast and lunch frequency among late middle-age women; vitamin A, carotene, lunch, and eating out frequency among older age men; and fat, saturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acid, omega-6 fatty acid, and eating out frequency among the older age women’s group (p-value < 0.05). This study can be used to establish dietary strategies for depression prevention, considering gender and age.     

Some Ultra-Processed Foods Are Needed for Nutrient Adequate Diets: Linear Programming Analyses of the Seattle Obesity Study

Typical diets include an assortment of unprocessed, processed, and ultra-processed foods, along with culinary ingredients. Linear programming (LP) can be used to generate nutritionally adequate food patterns that meet pre-defined nutrient guidelines. The present LP models were set to satisfy 22 nutrient standards, while minimizing deviation from the mean observed diet of the Seattle Obesity Study (SOS III) sample. Component foods from the Fred Hutch food frequency questionnaire comprised the market basket. LP models generated optimized 2000 kcal food patterns by selecting from all foods, unprocessed foods only, ultra-processed foods only, or some other combination. Optimized patterns created using all foods contained less fat, sugar, and salt, and more vegetables compared to the SOS III mean. Ultra-processed foods were the main sources of added sugar, saturated fat and sodium. Ultra-processed foods also contributed most vitamin E, thiamin, niacin, folate, and calcium, and were the main sources of plant protein. LP models failed to create optimal diets using unprocessed foods only and ultra-processed foods only: no mathematical solution was obtained. Relaxing the vitamin D criterion led to optimized diets based on unprocessed or ultra-processed foods only. However, food patterns created using unprocessed foods were significantly more expensive compared to those created using foods in the ultra-processed category. This work demonstrates that foods from all NOVA categories can contribute to a nutritionally adequate diet.     

Socioeconomic Characteristics and Trends in the Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods in Korea from 2010 to 2018

There is growing evidence for a global transition to a more highly processed diet. While the dietary share of ultra-processed foods depends on a country’s economic status, food choice and consumption are also influenced by the socioeconomic situation of individuals. This study investigated whether ultra-processed food consumption differed across socioeconomic subgroups and over time (2010–2018) in Korea. Cross-sectional data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2018 were analyzed. Food and beverages reported in a one-day 24 h recall were classified according to the NOVA food classification criteria. The dietary energy contribution of ultra-processed foods was high among men and urban residents, and increased with education and income level; additionally, it reached its peak in adolescents and thereafter decreased with increasing age. After adjusting the socioeconomic variables, such associations remained significant, except for income level. The overall contribution of ultra-processed foods increased from 23.1% (2010–2012) to 26.1% (2016–2018), and the same trend over time was observed in all age groups and socioeconomic strata. In the Korean population, ultra-processed food consumption differed by individual socioeconomic characteristics, but gradually increased over time, and this trend was consistently found in all socioeconomic subgroups. Future strategies to promote healthy food choices are needed for the Korean population.     

Association between household income and overweight of Korean and American children: trends and differences

The prevalence of overweight in children has been dramatically increasing worldwide, and socioeconomic status is an important risk factor. The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that household income is negatively associated with overweight in Korean and American girls and boys. In the study, 2117 children 7 to 12 years of age from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2001 and 2007 and 3016 children from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2001 and 2006 were included. Overweight is defined as the sex- and age-specific body mass index cutoffs recommended by the International Obesity Task Force. Lower household income significantly increased the risk for overweight in Korean boys, irrespective of adjustments. The negative association between household income and overweight of American boys disappeared after adjusting for the frequency of dining out and TV viewing time. There was no significant association between household income and overweight of Korean and American girls. As household income increased, the intake of energy from protein was increased, but energy from carbohydrates was decreased in Korean boys. On the other hand, as household income increased, energy intake from carbohydrates was increased and energy intake from proteins decreased in American boys. In conclusion, positive association between household income and overweight was found in Korean boys, but not in Korean girls and American boys and girls. Effects solely targeting reduction in income disparities cannot effectively reduce sex disparities in overweight of children.     

Associations between concentrations of uric acid with concentrations of vitamin A and beta-carotene among adults in the United States

Our objective was to examine the cross-sectional associations between concentrations of vitamin A and beta-carotene, a major source of vitamin A, with concentrations of uric acid in a nationally representative sample of adults from the United States. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from up to 10893 participants aged ≥20 years of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001 to 2006. Concentrations of uric acid adjusted for numerous covariates increased from 305.8 μmol/L in the lowest quintile of vitamin A to 335.3 μmol/L in the highest quintile (p for linear trend <0.001). The prevalence ratio for hyperuricemia also increased progressively across quintiles of serum vitamin A reaching 1.82 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52, 2.16; p for linear trend <0.001) in the top quintile in the maximally adjusted model. Adjusted mean concentrations of uric acid decreased progressively from quintile 1 (333.8 μmol/L) through quintile 4 of concentrations of beta-carotene and were similar for quintiles 4 (313.5 μmol/L) and 5 (313.8 μmol/L). Concentrations of beta-carotene were inversely associated with hyperuricemia (adjusted prevalence ratio comparing highest with lowest quintile = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.72; p for linear trend <0.001). Concentrations of uric acid were significantly and positively associated with concentrations of vitamin A and inversely with concentrations of beta-carotene. These cross-sectional findings require confirmation with experimental studies of vitamin A and beta-carotene supplementation.     

Estimated daily intake of phenolics and antioxidants from green tea consumption in the Korean diet

To estimate daily intake of total phenolics and flavonoids from green tea and the contribution of green tea to the antioxidant intake from the Korean diet, 24 commercial brands of green tea were selected and analyzed. Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2008 and 2011 indicate that the green tea consumption in these 2 years was 2.8?g/tea drinker/day and 2.9?g/tea drinker/day, respectively. Based on data derived from direct measurements of green tea phenolics and the dataset of the 2008 KNHANES, we estimated the daily per tea drinker phenolics intake to be 172?mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE), the total flavonoids to be 43?mg catechin equivalents (CE) and the total antioxidants to be 267?mg vitamin C equivalents (VCE; 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay) and 401?mg VCE (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) assay). In 2011, we estimated the daily per tea drinker total phenolics intake to be 246?mg GAE, the total flavonoids to be 60?mg CE and the antioxidants to be 448?mg VCE (DPPH assay) and 630?mg VCE (ABTS assay). The daily intake of total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidants from green tea consumption increased from 2008 to 2011.     

Trends in Fast-Food and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Their Association with Social Environmental Status in South Korea

Background

As South Korea has enjoyed rapid economic development, Koreans’ diet, particularly consumption of fast food (FF) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), has changed.

High Levels of Nutrients of Concern in Baby Foods Available in Europe That Contain Sugar-Contributing Ingredients or Are Ultra-Processed

Introducing children to healthy and diverse complementary foods, either prepared at home or produced commercially, helps to establish taste preferences and good eating habits later in life. Assessing the nutrient profile of foods available commercially is key to informing consumers and policy makers. We used commercial data to provide an overview of the energy and nutrient content of 7 categories of foods intended for infants and young children that were launched or re-launched across 27 European countries from March 2017 to March 2021 (n = 3427). We also assessed the presence of sugars as added ingredients, and the foods’ level of processing, using the NOVA classification system. In total, 38.5% of the products contained at least one sugar-contributing ingredient; about 10% of products listed an added sugar, almost ¼ of the products listed a free sugar and finally about 20% of the products listed fruit and vegetable purees and powders as an ingredient. Half of the products had a ‘no added sugars’ positioning statement; among these, almost 35% had free sugars, fruit and vegetable purees and powders as added ingredients. With regard to processing classification, 46.3% of the products were minimally processed, 24.5% were processed and 29.2% ultra-processed. About half of all products had a ‘no artificial ingredient’ positioning statement; however, among these, 31.4% were ultra-processed. Our analysis showed that, within each food category, products with sugars as an added ingredient had a less desirable nutrient profile compared to those that did not have sugar-contributing ingredients. The results for level of processing were similar; in most food categories, ultra-processed foods had higher energy, fat, saturated fat, sugars and sodium content, and lower fibre content, compared to the minimally processed and processed ones.     

High carbohydrate intake was inversely associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol among Korean adults

The traditional Asian diet, which is characterized as being high in carbohydrate with an abundance of vegetables, may be beneficial for preventing metabolic syndrome abnormalities within the Asian population. However, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing in Asian countries. This study explored the association between dietary carbohydrates and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) prevalence, one of the abnormalities of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults. We used the data from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and evaluated a total of 9947 Korean adults older 20 years. To measure carbohydrate quality and quantity, total carbohydrate intake (g/d), percentage of energy from carbohydrate, glycemic index, and glycemic load were divided into quintiles. Mean levels of HDL-C significantly decreased across the quintiles for all types of dietary carbohydrate intake except glycemic index after adjusting for potential variables in both men and women. Odds ratios for having low HDL-C in the highest quintile were 1.66 (95% confidence interval, 1.24-2.22) for total carbohydrate, 1.34 (1.02-1.75) for percentage of energy from carbohydrate, and 1.54 (1.17-2.03) for glycemic load in men as compared with the second quintile as a reference. Odds ratio for low HDL-C was 1.38 (1.12-1.71) for percentage of energy from carbohydrate in women. In conclusion, our study indicates that low HDL-C is associated with high carbohydrate intake without regard to energy or fat intake. Further studies would be necessary to optimize carbohydrate intake quantitatively on dyslipidemia for Asian population.     

Fortified Foods Are Major Contributors to Nutrient Intakes in Diets of US Children and Adolescents

BackgroundEven in an era of obesity and dietary excess, numerous shortfall micronutrients have been identified in the diets of US children and adolescents. To help tailor strategies for meeting recommendations, it is important to know what foods contribute greatly to micronutrient intakes. Data are lacking on specific contributions made by added nutrients.ObjectiveOur aims were to examine the impact of fortification on nutrient adequacy and excess among US children and adolescents and to rank food sources of added nutrient intake and compare rankings with those based on total nutrient intake from foods.Design and statistical analysesData were from 7,250 respondents 2 to 18 years old in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006. Datasets were developed that distinguished nutrient sources: intrinsic nutrients in foods; added nutrients in foods; foods (intrinsic plus added nutrients); and total diet (foods plus supplements). The National Cancer Institute method was used to determine usual intakes of micronutrients by source. The impact of fortification on the percentages of children having intakes less than the Estimated Average Requirement and more than the Upper Tolerable Intake Level was assessed by comparing intakes from intrinsic nutrients to intakes from intrinsic plus added nutrients. Specific food sources of micronutrients were determined as sample-weighted mean intakes of total and added nutrients contributed from 56 food groupings. The percentage of intake from each grouping was determined separately for total and added nutrients.ResultsWithout added nutrients, a high percentage of all children/adolescents had inadequate intakes of numerous micronutrients, with the greatest inadequacy among older girls. Fortification reduced the percentage less than the Estimated Average Requirement for many, although not all, micronutrients without resulting in excessive intakes. Data demonstrated the powerful influence of fortification on food-source rankings.ConclusionsKnowledge about nutrient intakes and sources can help put dietary advice into a practical context. Continued monitoring of top food sources of nutrients and nutrient contributions from fortification will be important.     

Food Insecurity and the Association between Perceptions and Trust of Food Advertisements and Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods among U.S. Parents and Adolescents

Adolescents exposed to food and beverage advertisements (FBAs) typically low in nutrient density can be influenced in their food choices, eating behaviors, and health. This study examines the association between perceptions and trust of FBAs (key predictor) and the outcome of daily consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in parent-adolescent dyads, with risk of food insecurity as a potential moderator. Cross-sectional data from the Family, Life, Activity, Sun, Health and Eating (FLASHE) study was used to test actor and partner effects using structural equation modeling. The final model was adjusted for parent sex and education level, and effects were compared between dyads at risk of food insecurity (n = 605) and dyads not at risk (n = 1008). In the unadjusted model, actor effects (parent: b = 0.23, p = 0.001; adolescent b = 0.12, p = 0.001) and parent-partner effects were found (b = 0.08, p = 0.004). The final comparative model produced similar results for dyads not at risk of food insecurity (parent actor: b = 0.27, p = 0.001; parent partner: b = 0.10, p = 0.01; adolescent actor: b = 0.11, p = 0.003). For dyads at risk of food insecurity, only actor effects were significant (parent: b = 0.22, p = 0.001; adolescent: b = 0.11, p = 0.013). These findings suggest that parents’ favorability towards FBAs influence parent-adolescent unhealthy food consumption, and that this association is different when accounting for risk of food insecurity.     

Trends in nutrient intakes and consumption while eating-out among Korean adults based on Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1998-2012) data

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Eating-out among Korean people has become an important part of modern lifestyle due to tremendous growth of the food service industry and various social and economic changes. This study examined trends in meal patterns and meal sources while eating-out among Korean adults aged 19 years and older.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Data were from the 1998-2012 KNHNES (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) by the 24-hour dietary recall method. This study included 55,718 adults aged 19 years and older. For analysis of eating-out frequency, data were categorized by source of meals and serving place.

RESULTS

Average frequency of meals consumed away from home increased from 1998 to 2012, although it remained lower than that of meals at home. In addition, male, unmarried, employed, higher educated, and high income individuals more frequently consumed meals away from home. Moreover, sodium intake while eating-out significantly increased from 2,370 mg in 1998 to 2,935 mg in 2012. Lastly, percentage contributions of daily total protein intake, fat intake, and sodium intake from eating-out increased to more than half (53-55%) in 2012 compared with 47-48% in 1998.

CONCLUSIONS

As eating-out has grown in popularity, greater recognition of public health and nutritional education aimed at promoting healthy food choices is needed. In addition to developing consumer education for overall healthier eating patterns, individuals who are younger, unmarried, higher educated, and males are especially at risk and require attention.     

Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods Is Associated with Free Sugars Intake in the Canadian Population

Excess sugar consumption can lead to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as type 2 diabetes. Increasingly, ultra-processed foods (UPF) are suspected to be great contributors to free sugars intake in the population’s diet. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between UPF consumption and free sugars intake in the Canadian population. We used data from one 24 h-recall of the nationally representative 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey–Nutrition (CCHS). Food items were classified according to the NOVA system, and to estimate free sugars intake, we used the University of Toronto’s Food Label Information Program (FLIP) 2017 database. Results: Almost half of the population’s energy intake (45.7%) came from UPF. On average, 221.5 kcal/day came from free sugars, and most of these calories (71.5%) came from UPF. Public health policies aiming to decrease consumption of UPF should be a priority considering their important contribution to sugar intake in the population.