PRoprio this morning at the bar I saw a two-year-old girl: in one hand a lollipop, in the other a brioche and an industrial fruit juice on the table. The chills came.
What may seem like a “normal” scene is actually the image of a huge problem: the early exposure of children to ultra -prompt foods (upf).
As a specialist in food science, I see more and more often children aged 10-12 with signs already evident not only of overweight, but of Chronic low degree inflammation. A condition that opens the way to Metabolic, hormonal and even behavioral disorders.
It is absurd, and we cannot stay and watch: it is necessary to disseminate, aware, empower adults and educate children from primary school to recognize and choose true food.
What are UPF and why they hurt
The ultra -extension They are packaged products rich in sugars, poor fats, salt, additives and poor in real nutrients. Sweet drinks, snacks, savory snacks, sugary breakfast cereals, industrial ready -ready dishes: everything that has a long and complex label is part of this category.
The search for recent years is clear: consuming Upf usually increases the risk of Chronic inflammation, childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, non -alcoholic liver steatosis, hypertension And even behavior disorders.
The numbers: how many children are already at risk
In Italy, according to theOkkio alla Health 2023 (ISS-Mystery of Health), Over 1 child out of 3 between 6 and 10 years of age is overweight or obese. A European study (Lancet Public Health2022) highlighted that More than 60% of the daily calories of many children and adolescents come from Upf. Research shows that children who consume more ultra -prompt have higher levels of inflammatory marker (like C-Reactive Protein) already in school age. This means that chronic inflammation – silent engine of future diseases – begins very soon.
Sugars and inflammation: a dangerous combination
The excess of simple sugars, especially in the form of drinks and industrial juices, causes blood sugar changes, hyperinsulinemia and promotes the accumulation of visceral fat. Not only that: it increases the levels of inflammatory cytokines that predispose to cardiometabolic diseases even by adults.
It is no coincidence that the WHS recommends that free sugars do not exceed the 10% of daily caloriespreferably under 5% (about 20-25 g per day for a child). But only one industrial juice and a snack make them already spoil them.
Consequences also on behavior
It is not just about weight or metabolic diseases. A diet rich in upf and sugars has been associated with:
- Hyperactivity and difficulty of concentration: various studies connect the consumption of sugary drinks and junk food to an increase in ADHD symptoms in children.
- Worst school performance: unstable blood sugar levels compromise memory and attention.
- Greater risk of anxiety and depression in adolescence: a diet rich in junk food correlates with more mood disorders.
A future to protect
Let our children’s diet be dominated by industrial foods is equivalent to building fragile bases for their future health. Early chronic inflammation is not a detail: it is an accelerator of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and even some forms of cancer.
As parents, grandparents, educators we have a huge responsibility: teach children the value of real food – fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, eggs, extra virgin olive oil – and drastically reduce the presence of ultra -prompt.
The good news? Children learn by imitation. If simple, colorful, homemade dishes see in the family, they will tend to prefer them. And every daily choice, even small, builds a different future.
In conclusion: ultra -prompt foods are not only “empty calories”: they are a real risk to the health and psychophysical well -being of children. Reducing them drastically and bringing natural foods to the table is the biggest gift we can make to our children.
Who is Dr. Federica Almondo
Dr. Federica Almondo.
Food science specialist, formed at the Dietology and obesity center of the San Raffaele hospital in MilanDr. Federica Almondo is a point of reference in personalized nutrition, preventive medicine and anti-aging courses. After having founded and directing Cerva 16-Nutrition & Anti-Aging Center, he gave birth to Milan a Studio Almondo – Nutrition & longevitya place where science, technology and human approach meet to create tailor -made programs, even for those who have already tried everything without results.
Genetic tests are available (DNA), assessments of the state of the intestinal microbiota, analysis of oxidative stress, body composition, indirect calorimetry, ANS Analysis and other advanced tools to build highly customized diets with approach holistic and scientifically validatedalso suitable for the most complex needs.
With a formation of excellence and skills ranging from Nutrignetic and nourigenceomic in nutraceutics, metabolomics and epigeneticsAlmondo is also recognized for his work on Intestinal health, menopause, chronic stress management and optimization of psycho-physical energy. Without forgetting the ketogenic therapya nutritional approach now totally validated by scientific literature such as effective intervention in many complex pathologiesincluding type 2 diabetes, PCOS, fibromyalgia and lipedema and much more.