Grant: Team Grant: Health Effects of Ultra-Processed Foods - In HDCYH -LOI

Ultra-processed foods (UPF) are not real food; they are highly appealing creations made with chemical processes and additives. Over time, UPF have become increasingly available and promoted, diets shifted to rely on UPF, and food literacy skills have been lost. Moving from childhood to adulthood, transitional aged youth (15-26 years) begin navigating a complex food system dominated by UPF while bombarded with confusing nutrition and health messages. We want to learn how features of food environments (promotion and availability of UPF) are related to UPF intake and food attitudes in transitional aged youth. Research linking real-life experiences of food environments to youth's eating behaviours and attitudes is needed to understand factors that influence UPF intake. In a mixed method study, we will collect quantitative and qualitative data with 120 youth across Canada. A national youth advisory group will help lead study design, project activities and knowledge sharing. We will use cameras and artificial intelligence to create and analyze photographic records of food environments visited by each participant. We will quantitatively calculate the extent of availability and promotion of UPF in settings of youth's everyday lives and measure how it relates to UPF intakes and food attitudes. We will qualitatively explain findings using descriptions of youth's experiences of food environments from interviews/focus groups. Since UPF intakes differ by gender and between households with more and less education, we will explore whether any outcomes vary by gender or education. By studying the food environments where youth learn about, buy and eat food, we can better support youth navigate complex food environments and encourage food system change. Food environments that empower youth to build a positive relationship with food are key to preventing disordered eating and will empower youth to live healthier with positive lifelong and intergenerational consequences.