A new UK study finds feelings about food drive overeating as much as food processing does. (The study and its commentary appear in The Conversation.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
The researchers tested how much people like foods and how likely they are to overeat them. (They surveyed more than 3,000 adults and rated over 400 common foods.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
This finding matters for Thailand because policy makers here debate taxes, labels, and marketing curbs. (Thailand faces rising overweight and diet-related diseases.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
The study separates liking from hedonic overeating. (Liking means taste and enjoyment.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Hedonic overeating means continuing to eat past fullness for pleasure. (This behaviour can cause weight gain and diabetes.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
The team asked people to rate photos of unbranded foods. (They used jacket potatoes, noodles, custard creams and many other items.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
The researchers compared those ratings to nutrient data. (They also used the NOVA processing categories and sensory perceptions.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Nutrient content predicted liking and overeating. (High fat and high carbohydrate foods scored higher for enjoyment.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Perception also influenced overeating. (Foods perceived as sweet, fatty or processed had higher binge scores.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
The NOVA ultra-processed label added little predictive power. (Once nutrients and perceptions were known, NOVA explained only a small variation.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
The authors warn that lumping many foods together risks error. (The NOVA group mixes sugary drinks with fortified cereals and plant-based meats.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
The Conversation commentary lists policy alternatives. (These include boosting food literacy and reformulating products to increase satiety.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
The authors also urge policies that address eating motivations. (People eat for comfort, social connection, and convenience.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Thai data show UPF sales and consumption are rising. (Euromonitor and national surveys record growth and wide availability.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
A recent Thailand analysis found modern retail drives UPF purchases. (Convenience stores and supermarkets expanded fast since 2001.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
The same Thai study found most UPFs exceed nutrient limits. (More than half had excess fat, sugar or sodium according to WHO SEA rules.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
The Thai paper noted almost all UPFs exceeded sodium cut-offs. (The authors cited 94.3% exceeded sodium thresholds.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
Thailand has rising overweight and obesity rates. (National surveys show increasing adult overweight and obesity.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
The World Health Organization highlights obesity as a national concern. (Thai health authorities name obesity as a major driver of non-communicable diseases.) (Thailand’s Leadership in the Fight Against Obesity).
Policy makers in Thailand have used nutrient taxes and labelling. (The country taxed sugary drinks starting in 2017.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
The Thai UPF study links retail change to government economic policy. (Thailand 4.0 and investment incentives encouraged modern retail growth.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
Experts say the NOVA system helps monitor trends. (But critics argue NOVA mixes dissimilar products.) (Ultra-processed foods: Definitions and policy issues).
The Conversation authors caution against blanket bans. (They say warning labels might deter some helpful fortified foods.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
The UK study shows beliefs shape behaviour. (Perceiving foods as healthy or bitter reduced overeating scores.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
This psychology insight offers policy tools. (Health campaigns can change perceptions and reduce hedonic eating.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Thai public health planners can use targeted education. (Food literacy programs can teach satiety, portion control, and sensory awareness.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Reformulation can improve UPF quality in Thailand. (Industry can boost fibre and protein to increase fullness.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Thailand already uses taxes to alter choices. (Policymakers can combine taxes with education and access to fresh food.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
The Thai paper recommends a combined regulatory approach. (They call for marketing rules and healthier retail incentives.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
Cultural context can aid behaviour change in Thailand. (Thai food traditions value shared meals and fresh ingredients.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
Buddhist values of moderation may support public campaigns. (Messages framed around balance and family health resonate.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
Community cooks and local markets can help. (Promoting traditional dishes can restore healthier eating patterns.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
Regulation must balance harms and benefits. (Some processed foods help older adults and people with special diets.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Policymakers should avoid one-size-fits-all bans. (They should use nutrient and function criteria instead.) (Ultra-processed foods: Definitions and policy issues).
Future research should test behaviour-change strategies in Thailand. (Trials can measure how perception shifts cut hedonic overeating.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Researchers should also study product reformulation effects. (They can measure if higher-fibre products reduce binge eating.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Monitoring systems matter. (Thailand needs ongoing sales and nutrient tracking of UPFs.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
The UK study offers a clear takeaway. (What people think about food can change how much they eat.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Thailand must act on both food content and food culture. (Policy should improve food quality and shape eating motives.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
Practical recommendations for Thai health agencies follow. (First, expand public food literacy campaigns about satiety and portion cues.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Second, enforce nutrient-based taxes and complete planned SSB tax phases. (Third-party evaluations should measure health outcomes.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
Third, incentivise reformulation for satiety and fibre content. (Offer public procurement contracts to higher-fibre products.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Fourth, limit child-directed marketing and control portion sizes in retail. (Combine restrictions with support for traditional food vendors.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
Fifth, fund research on perceptions and eating motives across Thai groups. (Investigate urban, rural and elderly populations.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
These steps can reduce harm without banning useful products. (They can protect children and support vulnerable adults.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).
The debate over UPFs should focus on nuance. (Science now points to psychology as a key driver of overeating.) (Ultra-processed foods might not be the real villain in our diets – here’s what our research found).
Thai policy can use that nuance to craft smarter measures. (Balanced approaches can protect public health and respect cultural foodways.) (Profiling ultra-processed foods in Thailand: sales trend, consumer expenditure and nutritional quality).