Department of Behavioural Science and Health
UCL
Mounting evidence links increased intake of ultra-processed food (UPF) with a range of poor health outcomes across different populations. However, the value of classifying food and drink by the extent and purpose of processing has been debated. A key consideration needed is to review the extent of uncertainty in the evidence, and to evaluate whether the uncertainty may meaningfully impact on the conclusions reached. This talk will thus take a critical analysis approach to assess and evaluate this extent. First, the talk will outline confusion on what the Nova classification actually captures (its novelty) compared with other processing classifications, as well as common misconceptions. Then, discuss the tools available to estimate UPF intake and validation assessments to date, before discussing uncertainties and confidence in observational and experimental evidence, and ending with key research gaps.
Dr Samuel Dicken is a Research Fellow at the Department of Behavioural Science and Health, and previously at the Centre for Obesity Research, Division of Medicine, UCL. He is also a registered Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council. Sam’s research focusses on the health impact of ultra-processed food using both experimental and observational methods. He has led important work in this space, including the first randomised controlled trial investigating the health effects of UPF and MPF diets following UK national dietary guidance, large scale cohort studies and nutrient database studies, as well as involvement in the first behavioural support programme around UPF reduction in UK adults.