Cross-Sectional Study on the Influence of Religion on the Consumption of Ultra-Processed Food in Spanish Schoolchildren in North Africa.

(1) Background: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) constitutes a public health problem given their high availability and easy accessibility among children and young people and their influence on the development of non-communicable diseases in the long term. In this context, culture and religion may be modulating factors for the consumption of processed food. The aim of this study is to assess the consumption of UPFs in Spanish schoolchildren living in Melilla (North Africa), together with the possible impact of religion on this. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study of 590 Christian and Muslim schoolchildren aged 15-17 years was conducted. The NOVA food classification was used to identify UPFs. Associations between religion and daily consumption were identified using risk analysis (Odds Ratio). (3) Results: Muslim schoolchildren had a higher consumption of industrial juices [OR = 2.700, 95%CI = 1.830-4.037], milkshakes [OR = 2.925, 95% = 1.850-4.748], industrial pastries [OR = 2.217, 95% = 1.440-3.510], sweets [OR = 2.197, 95%CI = 1.437-3.541], chocolates [OR = 2.272, 95%CI = 1.482-3.606] and savory snacks [OR = 3.431, 95%CI = 1.844-6.579] compared to that observed among Christians. (4) Conclusions: Both Muslim and Christian schoolchildren had a high consumption of UPFs. Regarding the potential impact of religion on the consumption of UPF, we observed that Muslim schoolchildren consumed three to four times more UPF than Christian schoolchildren. These results show a shift away from a healthy eating pattern, especially among Muslim schoolchildren. Thus, it is necessary to implement nutritional education strategies in order to understand and control the consumption of UPF in adolescents, thereby reducing the occurrence of non-communicable diseases in the long term.