Introduction:

The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) has increased significantly and is associated with the development of non-communicable and digestive diseases.

Objective:

investigate the consumption of ultra-processed foods among children and adolescents diagnosed with digestive conditions and the risk of non-communicable diseases.

Materials and Methods:

A prospective, cross-sectional field study, January-May 2025. A dietary questionnaire using NOVA classification was administered through simple random sampling.

Results:

Of 1,000 children, 113 were evaluated; mean age 7.4 ± 3.7 years (2-16), 53.98% male; 37.17% preschoolers, 33.63% schoolchildren, 29.20% adolescents. Reported pathologies: constipation, dysbiosis, chronic abdominal pain, reflux, celiac disease, MASLD, gastritis, diarrhea. High UPF intake (≥5/week) in 97/113 (85.84%), low (≤2/week) in 16/113 (14.16%), p=0.0246. High processed/culinary intake in 64/113 (56.64%), low 49/113 (43.36%), p=0.3187; unprocessed foods 55/113 (48.75%). Moderate-high UPF intake: schoolchildren 89.47%, preschoolers 88.09%, adolescents 75.76% (p=0.3793). Processed/culinary intake: preschoolers 69.05%, schoolchildren 57.89%, adolescents 39.39% (p=0.0359). Low unprocessed intake: preschoolers 64.29%, schoolchildren 47.36%, adolescents 39.39% (p=0.0844). UPF intake associated with higher sugar (p=0.0001), fat (p=0.0001), and sodium (p=0.0003). Schoolchildren showed highest sugar (89.47%), fat (47.36%), sodium (42.11%). Risk of NCDs in dysbiosis (RR=2.5) and MASLD (RR=1.63).

Conclusion:

The evaluated patients exhibited high UPF intake along with moderate to low consumption of processed and unprocessed foods, suggesting long-term health risks. These findings underscore the need for family-centered nutritional education.