@article{unic17871,
         journal = {International Journal of Public Health},
          author = {Alice Rosi and Francesca Giampieri and Osama Abdelkarim and Mohamed Aly and Achraf Ammar and Evelyn Frias-Toral and Juancho Pons and Laura V{\'a}zquez-Ara{\'u}jo and Alessandro Scuderi and Nunzia Decembrino and Alice Leonardi and Fernando Maniega Legarda and Lorenzo Monasta and Ana Mata and Adri{\'a}n Chac{\'o}n and Pablo Bus{\'o} and Giuseppe Grosso},
           month = {Octubre},
            year = {2025},
           title = {Unhealthy Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Children and Adolescents Living in the Mediterranean Area: The DELICIOUS Project},
          volume = {70},
        keywords = {ultra-processed food (UPF), children and adolescents, mediterranean area, eating habits, lifestyle
behaviours},
             url = {http://repositorio.unic.co.ao/id/eprint/17871/},
        abstract = {Objectives: This study addressed the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) formulated with excess of energy/fats/sugars (hence deemed as unhealthy) and factors associated with it in children and adolescents living in 5 Mediterranean countries participating to the DELICIOUS (UnDErstanding consumer food choices \& promotion of healthy and sustainable Mediterranean diet and LIfestyle in Children and adolescents through behavIOUral change actionS) project.Methods: A total of 2011 parents of children and adolescents (6?17 years) participated in a survey exploring their children?s frequency consumption of unhealthy UPFs and demographic, eating, and lifestyle habits.Results: Most children consumed unhealthy UPFs daily: higher intake was associated with being older and with obesity, as well as higher parental education and younger age. Children eating more frequently out of home and with a higher number of meals were also more likely to consume unhealthier UPF. Moreover, more screen time and a lower healthy lifestyle score were associated with higher unhealthy UPF consumption.Conclusion: consumption of unhealthy UPFs seems to be preeminent in children and adolescents living in the Mediterranean area and associated with an overall unhealthy lifestyle.}
}