MediQHow ultra-processed foods may change the way children's brains respond to eating
A small U.S. study found that children who ate more ultra-processed foods showed stronger brain reward responses to food pictures, which was linked to greater body fat increases a year later.
In short
- Children eating more ultra-processed foods showed stronger brain reward responses to pictures of tempting foods.
- These stronger brain responses were linked to greater increases in body fat and BMI one year later.
- This was a small observational study of 46 children in the U.S., so it cannot prove direct cause and effect.
Packaged snacks, instant noodles and breakfast cereals are quick choices for busy families. But a new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests these everyday items may influence how a child's developing brain reacts to food.
Researchers from the University of Southern California studied 46 children aged 7 to 10 in the United States. They found that children who ate more ultra-processed foods showed stronger activity in the brain's reward system when looking at pictures of tempting foods like cookies and French fries. These heightened brain responses were linked to greater increases in body fat and body mass index (BMI) one year later.
What are ultra-processed foods?
Ultra-processed foods are products manufactured to be appealing, convenient and long-lasting. They include many common items such as breakfast cereals, packaged bread and instant soups. Many contain artificial sweeteners, coloring agents and other ingredients rarely used in home cooking. In the United States, these products account for approximately 67% of the calories consumed by children.
How did the researchers measure this?
This was an observational study, meaning it looked for associations rather than proving cause and effect. Every child had a healthy weight when the research began. The team used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan the children's brains while they looked at pictures of appetizing foods. They also recorded BMI, body fat percentage and waist circumference, then measured these again after one year.
Children who ate more ultra-processed foods showed greater activity in the dorsal striatum, a part of the brain that helps regulate reward and motivation. When researchers considered this brain response in their analysis, the link between ultra-processed food intake and BMI became 31% weaker. The connection with body fat percentage decreased by 44%. This suggests the brain's reward response may help explain part of the relationship between these diets and weight changes.
"Children's brains are still developing, habits are still forming and food preferences are still being made. It's an important period where the brain is very sensitive to food and the food environment," said Kathleen A. Page, MD, the study's senior author and professor of medicine and pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Does this mean these foods cause weight gain?
Not necessarily. Because the study was observational, it cannot determine whether eating ultra-processed foods directly causes heightened brain activity or increases in body weight. The findings establish relationships between these factors, but additional research is needed to determine whether one causes another. The researchers also noted that improving children's diets cannot depend entirely on individual families, as these products are often inexpensive and practical.
The bottom line is that early eating habits may shape how a child's brain responds to food, but more research is needed to understand exactly how.
What you can do now
- Check food labels to identify ultra-processed items like packaged breads, instant soups and breakfast cereals your family eats regularly.
- Offer minimally processed alternatives, such as fresh fruit or plain grains, alongside familiar convenience foods when possible.
- Talk to your child's doctor if you have concerns about their growth, body weight or overall diet.
Questions you may have
What counts as an ultra-processed food?
According to the researchers, these include everyday products like breakfast cereals, packaged bread and instant soups. They are manufactured to be convenient and long-lasting, often containing artificial sweeteners, coloring agents and other ingredients rarely used in home cooking.
Did this study prove that ultra-processed foods make children gain weight?
No. The researchers caution that because the study was observational, it cannot determine whether eating these foods directly causes heightened brain activity or increases in body weight. It only establishes relationships between these factors.
Does this apply to children outside the United States?
The study specifically examined 46 children enrolled in a U.S. research project. The 67% figure for ultra-processed food consumption also refers to children in the United States, so the exact numbers may differ elsewhere.
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