Ultra-Processed Foods and Children's Brain Health: New Study

Ultra-Processed Foods May Influence Children's Brain Responses to Food, Study Suggests

A new study has raised questions about how ultra-processed foods may be associated with children's brain activity, eating behavior, and long-term body composition.

Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) found that children who consumed more ultra-processed foods showed stronger brain responses when viewing pictures of appetizing foods, including cookies and French fries. These brain responses were also associated with increases in body fat over the following year.

The findings were published in JAMA Network Open in October 2026. Researchers say the results may help explain a possible connection between children's diets, the brain's reward system, and changes in body composition.

However, the study does not prove that ultra-processed foods directly cause changes in the brain or weight gain.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

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Ultra-Processed Foods and Children's Brain Health Image1

Ultra-processed foods are industrially manufactured products designed to be convenient, affordable, and ready to eat or prepare. Depending on their ingredients and processing methods, examples may include certain packaged breakfast cereals, packaged breads, instant soups, sweetened snacks, and ready-to-eat meals.

Many of these products contain combinations of ingredients, flavorings, colors, or sweeteners that are not commonly used in everyday home cooking.

These foods are not all nutritionally identical. Some packaged products can provide useful nutrients, while others may contain high amounts of added sugar, sodium, or unhealthy fats.

According to the research report, children in the United States obtain approximately 67% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods. This figure refers to the U.S. population discussed in the report and should not be assumed to apply to children in every country.

How Did Researchers Study Children's Brain Activity?

The research involved 46 children between the ages of seven and ten who were participating in the long-term BrainChild study, which examines factors associated with diabetes and obesity risk.

All participants began the study at a healthy weight.

At the beginning of the research, scientists collected information about the children's diets and body composition. They also used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to observe brain activity while the children viewed pictures of appetizing foods.

The researchers then assessed the children's body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and waist circumference again one year later.

This approach allowed the team to examine whether food-related brain responses were associated with subsequent changes in body composition.

What Did the Study Discover?

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The researchers reported several important findings.

1. Stronger Brain Responses to Food Images

Children who consumed more ultra-processed foods showed stronger responses in a brain region called the dorsal striatum.

This region plays an important role in reward processing, motivation, and responses to rewarding experiences. The researchers observed these differences while children viewed pictures of appetizing foods.

The findings suggest that dietary patterns may be associated with how children's brains respond to food-related cues.

2. Brain Responses Were Associated With Changes in Body Fat

The study also found that stronger responses to food images were associated with increases in BMI and body fat percentage over the following year.

Children who consumed more ultra-processed foods generally showed higher measurements of BMI, body fat percentage, and waist circumference at the end of the study.

These findings point to a possible relationship between dietary patterns, food-related brain activity, and changes in body composition.

3. Brain Activity May Help Explain Part of the Association

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When researchers accounted for differences in dorsal striatum responses to food images, the observed associations between ultra-processed food intake and later BMI and body fat percentage became weaker.

The reported associations weakened by 31% for BMI and 44% for body fat percentage.

This suggests that food-related brain responses might help explain part of the relationship observed in the study. It does not establish that brain activity is the cause of weight gain or that ultra-processed foods directly change the brain.

Why Are These Findings Important for Children's Health?

Childhood is an important period for developing eating habits, food preferences, and responses to the surrounding food environment.

Children encounter food choices at home, at school, in shops, and through advertising. Convenient packaged foods may be especially common when families have limited time, money, or access to fresh and minimally processed alternatives.

Understanding how dietary patterns relate to the developing brain could help researchers identify opportunities to support healthier eating habits early in life.

The findings also highlight why children's nutrition should be considered alongside other factors, including physical activity, sleep, family routines, food availability, and overall health.

What Can Parents Do to Encourage Healthier Eating?

The study does not mean that children must avoid every packaged food. Instead, families can focus on balanced eating patterns and practical improvements that fit their circumstances.

Here are some useful steps:

Offer balanced meals: Include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein sources, and other nutritious foods appropriate for the child's age.
Choose convenient alternatives wisely: When possible, compare food labels and choose options with less added sugar and sodium.
Make water readily available: Water is a useful everyday alternative to sugary drinks.
Prepare simple snacks: Fruit, plain yogurt, or other suitable minimally processed foods can provide convenient options.
Build consistent routines: Regular meals and family eating habits can help children develop a positive relationship with food.
Avoid blaming children: Make healthy choices easier and more accessible instead of focusing on weight or criticizing a child's eating habits.

Parents should consider children's individual nutritional needs and seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional when they have concerns about growth, weight, or eating behavior.

Researchers Say More Studies Are Needed

An important limitation of this research is its observational design. Although the researchers identified associations between ultra-processed food consumption, brain responses, and body composition, the study cannot establish cause and effect.

The study also involved only 46 children, so its results should be interpreted cautiously and confirmed through larger investigations.

The research team has proposed further studies in which children who regularly consume ultra-processed foods are offered more minimally processed foods. Scientists could then examine whether their responses to food-related images change over time and whether those changes are associated with differences in body composition.

The ongoing BrainChild study is also expected to follow participants through puberty and into young adulthood, providing additional information about brain development, diet, and health.

Further research may help clarify how food environments and dietary patterns are related to children's development.

Conclusion

A new 2026 study suggests that children who eat more ultra-processed foods may have stronger brain responses to appetizing food images, and these responses are associated with increases in body fat over one year.

The findings provide new information about the possible relationship between children's diets, brain reward systems, and body composition. However, they do not prove that ultra-processed foods directly cause brain changes or weight gain.

For families, the practical message is to encourage balanced eating habits, make nutritious foods accessible when possible, and create supportive food environments for children.

As researchers continue investigating the relationship between nutrition and brain development, larger studies will be needed to determine how these findings may inform future childhood health recommendations.