MacLean Sally, Bolton Kristy A, Dickie Sarah, Woods Julie, Lacy Kathleen E
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia.
Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia.
Nutrients. 2025 Jul 11;17(14):2293. doi: 10.3390/nu17142293.
: Higher energy density (ED; kJ/g) and higher levels of processing of foods and beverages have been associated with childhood obesity and reduced diet quality. This study described and examined the distribution of ED and levels of processing of new food and beverage products intended for Australian children (0-4 years, 5-12 years). : This study used 2013-2023 data from the Mintel Global New Products Database. Products were classified by ED (low ≦ 4.184 kJ/g, medium > 4.184 kJ/g and <12.552 kJ/g, or high ≧ 12.552 kJ/g) and level of processing (using the NOVA classification system; unprocessed/minimally processed foods; processed culinary ingredients; processed foods; ultra-processed foods (UPFs)). Non-parametric statistics were used to examine ED and level of processing by age and 'Food' and 'Drink' groups. : Of the 1770 products analysed, 56% were classified as high-ED and 81% as UPF. Among 'Food' products intended for children '5-12 years', 93% were classified as UPFs. The differences in ED classification between non-UPFs and UPFs were significant for 'Food' products intended for children aged '0-4 years' ( < 0.001) but not for children aged '5-12 years' ( = 0.149). : The prevalence of high-ED and UPFs in the Australian packaged food supply demonstrates the need to tighten regulations around products intended for children. The regulation of low-ED UPFs (i.e., recognised by Australian Dietary Guidelines as 'healthy') may also be required.
较高的能量密度（ED；千焦/克）以及食品和饮料的较高加工水平与儿童肥胖和饮食质量下降有关。本研究描述并考察了面向澳大利亚儿童（0至4岁、5至12岁）的新食品和饮料产品的能量密度分布及加工水平。：本研究使用了英敏特全球新产品数据库2013年至2023年的数据。产品按能量密度（低≤4.184千焦/克、中＞4.184千焦/克且＜12.552千焦/克、或高≥12.552千焦/克）和加工水平（使用NOVA分类系统；未加工/最低限度加工食品；加工烹饪配料；加工食品；超加工食品（UPF））进行分类。使用非参数统计方法按年龄以及“食品”和“饮料”类别考察能量密度和加工水平。：在分析的1770种产品中，56%被归类为高能量密度产品，81%被归类为超加工食品。在面向“5至12岁”儿童的“食品”产品中，93%被归类为超加工食品。对于面向“0至4岁”儿童的“食品”产品，非超加工食品和超加工食品在能量密度分类上的差异显著（＜0.001），但对于“5至12岁”儿童则不显著（=0.149）。：澳大利亚包装食品供应中高能量密度产品和超加工食品的流行情况表明，有必要加强对面向儿童产品的监管。可能还需要对低能量密度的超加工食品（即被澳大利亚膳食指南认定为“健康”的食品）进行监管。
