Adolescents who consume more ultra-processed foods are at a significantly higher risk of being overweight or obese, according to an April 15 study published in the journal PLOS One by Mekuriaw Nibret Aweke of the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, and colleagues.
This finding is important because excess weight during adolescence increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome later in life. The consumption of ultra-processed foods—industrial products made mostly from extracted or synthetic ingredients and often high in added sugars, salt, unhealthy fats, and chemical additives—is one of the fastest-growing eating patterns among young people worldwide.
The researchers reviewed observational studies on ultra-processed food intake and weight outcomes for adolescents aged 10 through 19. They identified 23 eligible studies involving about 155,000 adolescents across 16 countries between 2008 and 2025. Their meta-analysis found that those with higher consumption had a 63% greater chance of being overweight or obese compared to those with lower intake. This association was consistent across all geographic regions studied. The most recent studies showed even stronger links; for example, research from 2024 and 2025 reported that higher consumption was associated with more than twice the odds of overweight or obesity compared to lower consumption.
However, the authors noted limitations such as reliance on observational data—which cannot prove causation—and differences among studies in how they measured both food intake and obesity rates.
The study's authors said public health strategies should focus on reducing ultra-processed food intake among adolescents through education campaigns, policy changes, and encouraging minimally processed diets. "Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to a substantially increased risk of overweight and obesity among adolescents, emphasizing the need for early dietary interventions." They also said: "Improving adolescent nutrition today is essential to protecting long-term population health and reducing healthcare costs associated with obesity-related conditions."
