Ultra-processed food consumption among primary school children and caregivers in low socio-economic communities in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa
1
Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa, Gqberha, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A403
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In the modern food environment, ultra-processed foods (UPFs) (1) are increasingly accessible, affordable and desirable (2). In South Africa, UPFs form a substantial portion of commonly consumed foods and that could lead to an increased risk of malnutrition (3, 4).
AIM:
This study described the consumption of UPFs (NOVA classification system level 4 (5)) among children and caregivers in selected primary schools in low socio-economic areas of Nelson Mandela Bay, and examined associations between children’s anthropometric status and UPF intake and caregivers’ UPF nutrition knowledge and dietary patterns.
METHODS:
In a quantitative, cross-sectional study, participants included 1234 primary school children from a larger project done in 2019 (6) and 109 caregivers recruited in 2025 from the same schools. Children’s anthropometric and dietary intake data were analysed. Caregivers completed a UPF knowledge questionnaire and a 24-hour dietary recall.
RESULTS:
Children consumed an average of 10.91 UPF items per week (SD = 7.69). Correlations between children’s UPF intake and anthropometric outcomes were weak and largely non-significant overall, except for nine-year-olds. Caregivers scored an average of 54.70% on the UPF knowledge questionnaire, with 35.77% scoring below 50%. Caregivers consumed an average of 4.18 (SD = 1.93) UPF items per day. Caregiver UPF knowledge and intake were not strongly correlated, but caregiver education level was moderately associated with UPF knowledge (rs = 0.40, p < 0.001). A significant association was found between caregiver and child UPF consumption (χ²(1, N = 214) = 4269.00, p < 0.001), and although not significant, caregivers consumed now more UPF items per day (t(214) = 1.23, p = 0.22), indicating an increase in UPF consumption since 2019.
CONCLUSIONS:
The high prevalence of malnutrition alongside high UPF consumption in children, paired with limited caregiver nutrition knowledge, highlights the need for strengthened nutrition support and food environment interventions.
In the modern food environment, ultra-processed foods (UPFs) (1) are increasingly accessible, affordable and desirable (2). In South Africa, UPFs form a substantial portion of commonly consumed foods and that could lead to an increased risk of malnutrition (3, 4).
AIM:
This study described the consumption of UPFs (NOVA classification system level 4 (5)) among children and caregivers in selected primary schools in low socio-economic areas of Nelson Mandela Bay, and examined associations between children’s anthropometric status and UPF intake and caregivers’ UPF nutrition knowledge and dietary patterns.
METHODS:
In a quantitative, cross-sectional study, participants included 1234 primary school children from a larger project done in 2019 (6) and 109 caregivers recruited in 2025 from the same schools. Children’s anthropometric and dietary intake data were analysed. Caregivers completed a UPF knowledge questionnaire and a 24-hour dietary recall.
RESULTS:
Children consumed an average of 10.91 UPF items per week (SD = 7.69). Correlations between children’s UPF intake and anthropometric outcomes were weak and largely non-significant overall, except for nine-year-olds. Caregivers scored an average of 54.70% on the UPF knowledge questionnaire, with 35.77% scoring below 50%. Caregivers consumed an average of 4.18 (SD = 1.93) UPF items per day. Caregiver UPF knowledge and intake were not strongly correlated, but caregiver education level was moderately associated with UPF knowledge (rs = 0.40, p < 0.001). A significant association was found between caregiver and child UPF consumption (χ²(1, N = 214) = 4269.00, p < 0.001), and although not significant, caregivers consumed now more UPF items per day (t(214) = 1.23, p = 0.22), indicating an increase in UPF consumption since 2019.
CONCLUSIONS:
The high prevalence of malnutrition alongside high UPF consumption in children, paired with limited caregiver nutrition knowledge, highlights the need for strengthened nutrition support and food environment interventions.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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