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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Nutrients

Prevalence, Regional Variation, and Energy Cost of Ultra-Processed Foods Marketed to Children in Türkiye

  • Gonca Yildirim1
  • Esra Tansu Sariyer2
  • Ekin Çevik3,4
  • Betül Çiçek5
5 affiliations
  1. 1Faculty of Health Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics, Toros University, Mersin 33140, Türkiye
  2. 2Hamidiye Faculty of Health Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Health Sciences Türkiye, Istanbul 34668, Türkiye
  3. 3Faculty of Health Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics, Üsküdar University, Istanbul 34768, Türkiye
  4. 4Institute of Health Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Türkiye
  5. 5Faculty of Health Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38260, Türkiye
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Abstract

Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are becoming more common in children’s dietary habits, yet little is known about products marketed specifically to children in Türkiye. This research assessed the frequency, geographic differences, and energy-standardized cost of UPFs targeted at children. Methods: This cross-sectional study identified 340 food and beverage products aimed at children in six Turkish cities with varying regional income levels. We categorized items according to the NOVA framework. The prevalence of UPFs was analyzed by different cities, and the cost per 100 kcal was assessed between UPFs and non-UPFs. Results: Overall, 66.8% of products were classified as UPFs. Prevalence ranged from 53.3% to 83.7% across cities and differed significantly by product category. All milks, confections, and custards were UPFs of childhood. Most fruit and vegetable purees were not UPFs. The main markers of ultra-processing were added sugars, emulsifiers, and flavorants. The median cost for every 100 kcal was lower for UPFs than for non-UPFs (21.45 vs. 67.47 TRY, p < 0.001). After controlling for study city, non-UPFs had 2.87 times higher costs per 100 kcal than UPFs (95% CI: 2.27–3.62), but this association was not significant after further controlling for product category. Conclusions: UPFs were widely available in products marketed to children in Türkiye, with significant variation between product categories and regions. The lower cost per 100 kcal appeared to reflect differences in product composition across categories.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{yildirim2026prevalence,
  title = {{Prevalence, Regional Variation, and Energy Cost of Ultra-Processed Foods Marketed to Children in Türkiye}},
  author = {Gonca Yildirim and Esra Tansu Sariyer and Ekin Çevik and Betül Çiçek},
  journal = {Nutrients},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/nu18203444},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3444},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Prevalence, Regional Variation, and Energy Cost of Ultra-Processed Foods Marketed to Children in Türkiye
AU  - Gonca Yildirim
AU  - Esra Tansu Sariyer
AU  - Ekin Çevik
AU  - Betül Çiçek
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/20
JO  - Nutrients
DO  - 10.3390/nu18203444
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3444
AB  - Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are becoming more common in children’s dietary habits, yet little is known about products marketed specifically to children in Türkiye. This research assessed the frequency, geographic differences, and energy-standardized cost of UPFs targeted at children. Methods: This cross-sectional study identified 340 food and beverage products aimed at children in six Turkish cities with varying regional income levels. We categorized items according to the NOVA framework. The prevalence of UPFs was analyzed by different cities, and the cost per 100 kcal was assessed between UPFs and non-UPFs. Results: Overall, 66.8% of products were classified as UPFs. Prevalence ranged from 53.3% to 83.7% across cities and differed significantly by product category. All milks, confections, and custards were UPFs of childhood. Most fruit and vegetable purees were not UPFs. The main markers of ultra-processing were added sugars, emulsifiers, and flavorants. The median cost for every 100 kcal was lower for UPFs than for non-UPFs (21.45 vs. 67.47 TRY, p < 0.001). After controlling for study city, non-UPFs had 2.87 times higher costs per 100 kcal than UPFs (95% CI: 2.27–3.62), but this association was not significant after further controlling for product category. Conclusions: UPFs were widely available in products marketed to children in Türkiye, with significant variation between product categories and regions. The lower cost per 100 kcal appeared to reflect differences in product composition across categories.
SN  - 2072-6643
ER  -