Children who consumed ultra-processed foods more showed stronger activation in brain regions associated with reward and motivation when images of products such as candy and snacks were shown. The response of children in this group to images of foods with higher nutritional value was weaker compared to children whose diet was based on holistic foods.
The research director stated that these patterns could explain how children develop strong orientation to certain foods and have difficulty accepting healthier options. However, the research authors stressed that additional work is needed to establish the precise mechanism of the observed changes. The findings were evaluated as a sign of the possible relationship of ultra-processed foods to children's dietary preferences; they were not presented as a result of a precise causality.
