Nutrition and environmental health are inseparable in tackling rise of UPFs, experts reveal

A new cross-sectional study shows that ultra-processed food consumption (UPFs) is negatively related to carbon footprint awareness and sustainable, healthy eating behaviors. It calls for stronger awareness of these factors to inform strategies targeting UPFs.

The publication in BMC Public Health highlights the importance of tackling public health in tandem with nutrition and the environment. 

UPFs are adding significant health and environmental risks, the researchers warn. Until now, studies on UPFs have often overlooked the reasons that might motivate people to change their diets from unhealthy to sustainable and healthy eating. 

The researchers call for an integrated public health effort targeting nutritional and environmental dimensions.

UPF, carbon footprint, and sustainable eating

With the rise of consumer focus on sustainable nutrition, the study highlights the importance of protecting individual health with environmental integrity. The researchers flag that no other study has looked at the links between UPF consumption, carbon footprint awareness, and sustainable eating behaviors in adult populations.

The study reports that issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion cannot be separated from food security. “Notably, the widespread consumption of UPFs has been linked to adverse health outcomes as well as significant environmental harm,” it reads.

“High energy demands, plastic packaging waste, and increased greenhouse gas emissions associated with UPFs contribute substantially to ecological degradation. Conversely, growing carbon footprint awareness, defined as individuals’ understanding of their environmental impact and efforts to reduce emissions, has the potential to promote more environmentally responsible dietary choices,” the study details. 

The survey and analysis were conducted on 1,748 adults between 18 and 65 from November 2024 to January 2025. The researchers found that participants with higher carbon footprint awareness of sustainable eating tend to consume fewer UPFs.

Younger, non-working people and single individuals were also linked to higher consumption of UPFs due to easier and greater accessibility. “UPFs are often promoted through marketing strategies that appeal to impulsive buying tendencies, including attractive packaging and limited-time offers.” The researchers also point to social media as a driver of the rising UPF consumption trends.

They suggest: “Health-oriented social environments can promote healthier and more sustainable eating behaviors by reducing the consumption of UPFs and encouraging the intake of fresh, natural alternatives. Therefore, community-based nutrition interventions and awareness-raising efforts may play a critical role in shaping social norms toward more health-conscious choices.”

Recently, the EAT-Lancet 2025 found that food production is driving 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions and transgressing the planetary boundaries. Although the world produces plenty of food calories for everyone, almost 3.7 billion people lack access to healthy diets, fair wages, or clean environments. 

It underlines that food systems are not separate from social justice and urges equitable access to nutritious food, fairer work conditions, and inclusive governance.

Previous research found that healthy diets are linked to forced labor, with animal-based products posing higher risks. However, a healthy vegetarian diet, rich in beans, soy, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains had lower risks. This includes the Planetary Health Diet, which is mostly plant-based with little meat and dairy to reduce environmental impact.

UPFs integrated into modern diets

The study finds that 55.7% of participants have high levels of UPF consumption, revealing the growth of this food in modern diets. This was linked to poor awareness and less adherence to sustainable eating practices.

Furthermore, research has positively associated carbon footprint awareness with sustainable eating behaviors. “Individuals with greater environmental consciousness are more likely to engage in health-promoting and ecologically responsible food choices.”

“Research also suggests that health consciousness plays a mediating role in food decision-making. Individuals with greater awareness of health and nutrition tend to avoid ultra-processed products in favor of natural, minimally processed alternatives.”

The study notes that health-conscious consumers engage in behaviors that promote well-being, such as balanced eating and physical activity. They are also more likely to read nutrition labels and follow dietary guidelines.

UPFs in headlines

A recent study reveals that people lost twice as much weight eating minimally processed foods compared to UPFs.

Another has investigated the potential link between UPFs and early signs of Parkinson’s disease, sparking reactions from leading researchers in the field who praised the study’s scale but advised caution in interpreting its findings.

The American Heart Association’s latest Science Advisory review concludes that although most UPFs have a poor nutritional quality and are linked to adverse health outcomes, this is not true for all.