Study Reveals High Ultra-Processed Food Intake in South Asia

New Delhi: A new study has found that a significant portion of adults in South Asian countries consume ultra-processed foods (UPFs), with these foods contributing 13 to 17 per cent of total energy intake. The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health- Southeast Asia, analysed data from over 60,700 adults in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in Chennai, and institutes in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the study aimed to assess the relationship between consumption of ultra-processed foods and sociodemographic factors in the region.

The findings show that nearly 75 per cent of participants from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and north India reported consuming ultra-processed foods in the 24 hours prior to being surveyed. In comparison, 41 per cent of participants from south India and Pakistan reported the same.

Ultra-processed foods typically involve extensive industrial processing and often contain additives such as added sugars. They are linked to increased risk of obesity, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.

“This is the first study to assess the sociodemographic correlates of (ultra-processed foods) consumption in South Asia, using individual-level dietary recall data in a large population-based study of South Asian adults,” the researchers said.

The study used data from the South Asia Biobank, a UK-based long-term research project hosted by Imperial College London and funded by the UK’s National Institute for Health Research. The Biobank aims to explore factors contributing to the high burden of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity among South Asians.

Common sources of ultra-processed foods varied by region. Biscuits were found to be a frequent source across all countries, while sweetened beverages were most common in Pakistan, packaged salty snacks in south India, and breakfast cereals in Bangladesh.

The study also identified demographic trends in UPF consumption. Younger people in Pakistan and Sri Lanka were more likely to consume these foods, while older age groups showed higher consumption in Bangladesh and north India. Women across most regions were also found to be more likely to consume ultra-processed foods than men.

Additionally, the study found lower levels of consumption among married individuals or those living with partners compared to single participants.

The researchers highlighted that a 2023 global study involving 32 countries revealed a lack of evidence from South Asia on this topic. They noted that the current findings “provide valuable insights for developing targeted interventions.”

(With inputs from PTI)