Applicability of the Socioecological Model for Understanding and Reducing Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods in Canada
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
22 November 2022
Abstract
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become a major contributor to the diets of Canadians, with a recent report from Statistics Canada suggesting Canadians are consuming almost one-half of their calories from UPFs. Research has linked UPF consumption with increased risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, among others. This paper sought to investigate the popularity of UPFs, particularly among children and teens, utilizing the socioecological model as a framework to illustrate how influences at multiple levels (i.e., public policy, organizational, community, interpersonal, and individual) have played a role in the proliferation of UPFs. Evidence from previous studies is used to identify how factors at different levels may influence UPF consumption and discuss potential strategies for reducing UPF consumption. To meaningfully reduce UPF consumption among Canadians, all levels should be considered, with the goal of creating a healthier Canadian population.
Résumé
Les aliments ultratransformés (AUT) occupent aujourd’hui une place importante dans l’alimentation de la population canadienne, un rapport récent de Statistique Canada suggérant que près de la moitié des calories consommées par la population proviennent d’AUT. La recherche a établi un lien entre la consommation d’AUT et un risque accru de maladies chroniques, entre autres les maladies cardiovasculaires et le diabète de type 2. L’objectif de ce projet était d’explorer la popularité des AUT, en particulier chez les enfants et les adolescents, en utilisant le modèle socioécologique comme cadre pour illustrer comment les diverses influences (c.-à-d. politique publique, organisationnelles, communautaires, interpersonnelles et individuelles) ont joué un rôle dans la prolifération des AUT. Les données probantes d’études antérieures permettent de déterminer comment les divers facteurs peuvent influencer la consommation d’AUT et de discuter de stratégies potentielles pour réduire la consommation de ces produits. Afin de réduire de manière significative la consommation d’AUT au Canada et d’améliorer la santé de la population, tous les facteurs doivent être pris en compte.
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Financial support: The authors declare no external financial support was given for purposes of this manuscript.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 84 • Number 1 • March 2023
Pages: 38 - 42
Editor: Naomi Cahill
History
Version of record online: 22 November 2022
Copyright
© 2023.
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NicolasWoodsMSc, R.D., JasonGillilandPhD, and Jamie A.SeabrookPhD. 2023. Applicability of the Socioecological Model for Understanding and Reducing Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods in Canada. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
84(1): 38-42. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2022-027
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