Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Behavioral Outcomes in Canadian Children

In this cohort study of preschoolers in Canada, higher UPF intake was associated with adverse behavioral and emotional symptoms by age 5 years. These findings suggest that replacing UPF with MPF during the preschool years may support healthier behavioral development, with potential benefits for long-term mental health. These findings also support ongoing policy actions that promote MPF and underscore the need for early-life dietary interventions.

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Publication Details

Journal
JAMA Network Open
Published
2026-03-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.0434
Primary Topic
Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Behavioral Outcomes in Canadian Children

Meaghan E Kavanagh, Zheng Hao Chen, Kozeta Miliku, Stuart E. Turvey et al.
JAMA Network Open
Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
article

Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Behavioral Outcomes in Canadian Children

Meaghan E Kavanagh, Zheng Hao Chen, Kozeta Miliku, Stuart E. Turvey, P. Mandhane, Theo J. Moraes, Padmaja Subbarao, Elinor Simons
article en

Abstract

In this cohort study of preschoolers in Canada, higher UPF intake was associated with adverse behavioral and emotional symptoms by age 5 years. These findings suggest that replacing UPF with MPF during the preschool years may support healthier behavioral development, with potential benefits for long-term mental health. These findings also support ongoing policy actions that promote MPF and underscore the need for early-life dietary interventions.

JAMA Network OpenVol. 9(3)
Harvard University (US), University of British Columbia (CA), University of Alberta (CA), University of Toronto (CA), Hospital for Sick Children (CA), University of Manitoba (CA), UCSI University (MY), McMaster University (CA)
Children's Health Research Institute, Genome Canada, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Physicians' Services Incorporated Foundation, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 40%
Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Behavioral Outcomes in Canadian Children — Meaghan E Kavanagh, Zheng Hao Chen, et al. · JAMA Network Open (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS