Subscribe now

Health

Highly processed junk food consumption is rising among US adults

By Carissa Wong

14 October 2021

American food

US adults are consuming more junk food now than in 2001

Brauner, Michael/StockFood

US adults have been eating more highly processed junk food over the past two decades, according to a national survey.

Filippa Juul at New York University and her colleagues analysed data from a yearly survey that has been carried out since 2001. Each year, the survey asks a nationally representative group of 5000 US adults to recall what they had eaten in the past 24 hours.

The team categorised foods into four groups based on the level of processing that…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 2nd of July 2024.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account