Ultra-processed foods, diet quality and human health
Ultra-processed foods (UPF) have become ubiquitous in modern diets, raising concerns about their impact on health. Recent data show that nearly 60% of daily caloric intake among UK adults is derived from UPFs. Epidemiological studies indicate an increased risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic degenerative diseases due to high UPF consumption. This risk is not only attributed to poor diet quality but also to factors such as changes in food composition, texture, and additives, which may contribute to overeating.
This webinar explores the available evidence regarding the effects of UPFs on diet quality and overall health, while acknowledging the scientific limitations. You will be provided with a concise summary of relevant evidence and recent research findings, offering insights into ongoing debates within the field.
What will I gain from this webinar?
- Learn how to classify foods based on their processing level using the NOVA system.
- Develop the skills to critically evaluate the strength of evidence regarding the impact of UPFs on diet quality and markers of chronic degenerative disease risk.
- Gain an understanding of the ongoing debate surrounding the definition of UPF and its implications for dietary guidelines, beyond conventional classification systems.
Endorsement No EN175.83
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 2 Lessons
- Lifetime
- Ultra-processed foods, diet quality and human health2
Instructor
Dr. Monica Dinu is an assistant professor of Human Nutrition at the Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence. She is coordinator of the Young Working Group of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (SINU) and is a co-owner of the MEDI-LITE patent, a software for calculating adherence to the Mediterranean diet.
Dr. Dinu's research focuses on dietary interventions to assess the impact of different dietary patterns on health outcomes, with a particular interest in chrononutrition. Since 2023, she has been involved in the “PROMENADE” project, funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU and involving three Italian universities. The project aims to evaluate the role of ultra-processed foods in modulating the effects of the Mediterranean diet on both human and planetary health. She has authored over 70 scientific articles in international peer-reviewed journals and contributed to four book chapters.
