Why ultra-processed foods make teens eat more when they aren't hungry

"Rates of excess weight are climbing among young people in the United States. An analysis published in The Lancet predicts that by 2050, about one in three Americans between 15 and 24 years old will meet the criteria for obesity, putting them at higher risk for serious health problems. Many influences contribute to this trend, including genetics and low levels of physical activity, but diet plays a central role."

"When the researchers looked at everyone in the study together, they did not see an overall increase in calories or grams of food consumed at a buffet-style breakfast after the different diets. However, a different picture emerged when they focused on age. Participants between 18 and 21 years old ate more calories at the breakfast after the ultra-processed diet, while those age 22 to 25 did not show this increase."

Participants aged 18 to 25 followed two-week diets either rich in ultra-processed foods or containing no ultra-processed foods, then received an all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast. Overall calorie and food-gram intake did not differ across the entire sample, but age modified the response. Individuals 18–21 consumed more calories after the ultra-processed diet and ate when not hungry, whereas those 22–25 showed no increase. Ultra-processed items constitute 55–65% of young adult diets in the U.S. and associate with metabolic syndrome and poor cardiovascular health. Adolescence and very early adulthood may be uniquely sensitive periods for diet-driven habit formation.

Read at ScienceDaily