Ultra Processed Foods And Human And Planetary Health

The NOVA system is a food classification system based on the degree and purpose of industrial food processing. NOVA, which introduced ‘ultra-processed’ as a food category, has been widely employed within the research community, and is increasingly used by national governments, international organisations, and civil society. Ultra-processed foods (UPF) are defined as formulations of food-derived substances (e.g., fats, sugars, starch, protein isolate) that contain little if any whole food and include classes of additives whose function is to make the final product palatable or more appealing (‘cosmetic additives’), like colours, flavours, and emulsifiers. The impact of the production and consumption of ultra-processed foods on human and planetary health has been acknowledged and has started to gather global attention more recently. Because UPFs have become dominant components in diets of populations worldwide, there is an urgent need to scrutinise the human health, sustainability, and food environment impacts across a range of populations and country contexts and to understand the implications of their consumption for health inequalities.

The significance of industrial processing for the nature of food and the state of human health - and in particular the techniques and ingredients developed by modern food science and technology - is generally underestimated. This is evident in both national and international policies and strategies designed to improve populations' nutrition and health. Until recently it has also been neglected in epidemiological and experimental studies concerning diet, nutrition and health. This report seeks to assess the impact of ultra-processed food on diet quality and health, based on NOVA, a food classification system developed by researchers at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

This book contains a set of papers which explore the subject matter of human and planetary health at various angles The year 2015 was a special year in the field of human and planetary health. In that year, the report, produced by the Rockefeller Foundation and the journal The Lancet, called “Safeguarding human health in the Anthropocene epoch: report of The Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on planetary health” was launched. Also in 2015, the World Health Organization and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity published the report “Connecting global priorities: biodiversity and human health: a state of knowledge review” with over 100 contributors, meant to guide future joint actions. Both documents comprehensively address the need for a better understanding of the connections between human health and ecosystems and the risks associated with damages to the integrity of the planet. The period in which humanity finds itself right now, the Anthropocene, is a risk one since mankind is putting the planet under considerable pressure. These elements have led to the emergence of a new field of research, namely planetary health. Planetary health seeks to address a very concrete and urgent contemporary problem, namely the need to understand, quantify, and act in order to reverse the effects of human population growth and the acceleration of socioeconomic activities on the environment and, inter alia, the disturbances in the Earth's natural ecosystems and how these, in turn, impact human health and well-being. Anthropic disturbances in natural ecosystems are characterized by changes in climate, land use, changes in the nitrogen and phosphorus cycle, chemical pollution of soil, water and air, reduction in the availability of drinking water, loss of biodiversity, destruction of the ozone layer, and ocean acidification, among others. In all these areas, there is a perceived need to document and promote examples of initiatives and good practice, which may change current trends. This book addresses this need. It documents experiences, case studies, and projects which explore the connections between human and planetary health and illustrates examples which show the consequences of ecosystemic disturbances to the health and well-being of humanity, with the emergence of new diseases, worsening of infectious diseases and increase in chronic non-communicable diseases related to the deterioration of the current food system, hyper-urbanization, microbial resistance, climate-led migration and zoonoses, among others. Planetary health is a new effort to deal with the question of sustainability and human life on the planet under an increasingly integrative, transdisciplinary, and global perspective, since the problems of this planetary crisis cross geopolitical borders and academic boundaries and affect humanity as a whole. This book provides a contribution to this emerging field. Thanks to its design and the contributions by experts from various areas, it provides a welcome contribution to the literature on planetary health, and it inspires further works in this field.

The increase in the volume of industrially processed products in the global food supply has coincided with an increasing prevalence of obesity and non-communicable diseases in many countries, suggesting that ultra-processed food consumption may be detrimental for human health. However, studies are still limited and underline the need to better understand the main determinants of their consumption and the mechanisms that may explain the associations between these products and human health. This Special Issue collected new studies investigating the relationship between the consumption of ultra-processed foods, diet quality and human health, including those aiming to: Develop new tools to better determine the rate of consumption of ultra-processed foods in the population; Investigate the rate of consumption of ultra-processed foods in different subgroups of the population, including subjects following different dietary patterns; Analyse the relationship between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and markers of health status; Explore possible mechanisms behind associations between the consumption of processed foods and health By providing up-to-date assessments of ultra-processed foods consumption and health implications, these reports will contribute to understanding if future public health nutrition policies are needed.

This discussion paper highlights the interlinkages between nutrition and the environment across various dimensions from policy to impact. It focuses on diets and food systems, which lie at the nutrition−environment nexus. The paper illustrates how dietary trends and food systems are contributing to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, as well as how that crisis is exacerbating nutrition challenges. It also presents a range of policy options and practical measures that generate co-benefits for people and the planet. Furthermore, the paper stresses the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative approaches in promoting positive change. In addition, it explores methodologies that can be used to weigh trade-offs in decision-making to help shift to sustainable solutions that support better human and planetary health. This paper is part of UN-Nutrition’s greater efforts to bridge the nutrition and environmental communities and related stakeholders that engage in food systems transformation.

This comprehensive text provides the latest research on key concepts, principles and practices for promoting healthy and sustainable food systems. There are increasing concerns about the impact of food systems on environmental sustainability and, in turn, the impact of environmental sustainability on the capacity of food systems to protect food and nutrition security into the future. The contributors to this book are leading researchers in the causes of and solutions to these challenges. As international experts in their fields, they provide in-depth analyses of the issues and evidence-informed recommendations for future policies and practices. Starting with an overview of ideas about health, sustainability and equity in relation to food systems, Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems examines what constitutes a food system, with chapters on production, manufacturing, distribution and retail, among others. The text explores health and sustainable diets, looking at issues such as overconsumption and waste. The book ends with discussions about the politics, policy, personal behaviours and advocacy behind creating healthy and sustainable food systems. With a food systems approach to health and sustainability identified as a priority area for public health, this text introduces core knowledge for students, academics, practitioners and policy-makers from a range of disciplines including food and nutrition sciences, dietetics, public health, public policy, medicine, health science and environmental science.

"Ultra Processed Foods And Their Health Implications: Understanding The Risks, Effects, And Solutions For A Healthier Diet" delves into the significant impact of ultra-processed foods on human health and well-being. Through a comprehensive exploration of the latest research findings and expert insights, this book sheds light on the hidden dangers lurking in our modern food environments. The book begins by defining ultra-processed foods and examining their pervasive presence in contemporary diets. It traces the historical context of processed food consumption and highlights the alarming rise in popularity of these convenient yet nutritionally poor products. From sugary breakfast cereals to ready-to-eat meals, the prevalence of ultra-processed foods has become a major contributor to the global burden of diet-related diseases. Readers are taken on a journey through the nutritional composition of ultra-processed foods, uncovering the detrimental effects of their high levels of refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and synthetic additives. The book explores the impact of these ingredients on metabolic health, cardiovascular function, and mental well-being, revealing the intricate connections between diet and disease. Drawing on compelling evidence from scientific studies and epidemiological research, the book examines the various health implications associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods. From an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes to heightened susceptibility to cancer and mental health disorders, the toll of processed diets on human health is thoroughly explored. However, amidst the sobering realities of the modern food landscape, the book offers hope and practical solutions for promoting healthier dietary habits and improving public health outcomes. Through consumer education initiatives, regulatory policies, and community-based interventions, readers are empowered to make informed choices, reduce their intake of ultra-processed foods, and embrace a more wholesome approach to eating. Ultimately, "Ultra Processed Foods And Their Health Implications" serves as a timely wake-up call, urging individuals, policymakers, and healthcare professionals alike to confront the challenges posed by processed diets and work together towards a future where nutritious, whole foods take center stage in promoting health and well-being for all

This book has three main goals. The first is to celebrate the work of a great public health figure, the late A.J. (Tony) McMichael (1942–2014). The second is to position contemporary public health issues in an interdisciplinary context and in ways that highlight the interdependency between the environment, human institutions and behaviours; a broad approach championed by Tony. The third is to encourage emerging and future public health leaders to advocate for policies and cultural change to sustain and improve human health, from a foundation of objective scholarship. The book’s foreword and 38 chapters were written by people who were inspired by Tony; many of whom worked with him at some point in the last 40 years. Its structure reflects five major public health domains, each of which Tony made major contributions to in an extremely productive academic life: occupational health and safety; environmental and social epidemiology; nutrition and food systems; climate change and health; and ecosystem change and infectious disease. The final section, ‘Transformation’, is dedicated to Tony’s desire for public health scientists to propose adaptive and mitigating solutions to the problems they were observing. Each section contains at least one key publication involving Tony. There is also a selection of artworks from an exhibition which formed part of the conference held to honour Tony at The Australian National University in 2012. This conference formed the first part of Tony’s festschrift, completed by this book.