Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Many children today consume large amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) such as sugary drinks, packaged snacks, and ready-to-eat meals that are high in fat, sugar, and additives but low in nutrients. Canada ranks among the top five UPF consumers globally, with children having the highest intake. These foods may contribute to multimorbidity (the presence of two or more chronic health conditions such as obesity, asthma, diabetes, or behaviour/mental health), which already affects more than one in three people worldwide. While adult studies suggest that high UPF intake increases the risk of multimorbidity, evidence in children is limited. Our study will use data from nearly 3,000 participants in the national CHILD Cohort Study to explore how UPF intake during childhood relates to early signs of multimorbidity. We will track children's diets from birth to 8 years of age, identify UPF intake patterns, and examine whether children with consistently high UPF intake are more likely to develop multiple health problems by age 8-12. We will also determine whether low-grade chronic inflammation triggered by UPF influences disease pathways. Because risk factors for chronic disease often begin in early life, understanding how childhood diets shape long-term health is essential. This research will provide evidence to help clinicians, parents, and policymakers improve children's diet quality and guide public health strategies to create healthier food environments for Canadian families.