Children's brain reward responses may explain ultra-processed food-related weight gain

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20261023/Childrens-brain-reward-responses-may-explain-ultra-processed-food-related-weight-gain.aspx Children who eat more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) show stronger responses in the brain's reward network when viewing images of appetizing foods-and these brain responses are linked to increases in body fat one year later. The findings, just published in JAMA Network Open, suggest that the brain may become more sensitive to food cues when children consume more UPFs. UPFs are manufactured food products-such as breakfast cereals, packaged bread and instant soups-that are designed to be highly palatable, convenient and shelf-stable. They often contain artificial sweeteners, colors and other ingredients that people do not typically use when cooking at home. On average, U.S. children get about 67% of their daily calories from UPFs.