#UltraProcessedFoods

A landmark international study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is turning conventional wisdom about obesity on its head, revealing that a sedentary lifestyle in wealthy nations may not be the main culprit behind soaring obesity rates. Instead, the research finds that diets high in ultra-processed foods are the leading driver of the modern obesity epidemic, with important lessons for the Thai population and global public health campaigns alike (Washington Post).

A groundbreaking international study has shattered a long-held tenet of public health: that simply eating fewer calories and exercising more is the surest route to weight control. Instead, the research points to ultra-processed foods (UPFs) — industrial formulations containing five or more ingredients — as powerful, independent drivers of the global obesity epidemic, casting doubt on the decades-old mantra of ‘calories in, calories out’ as the full story behind weight gain. The findings, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and widely reported in reputable outlets such as the Washington Post, are sparking urgent debates among health experts and raising vital questions for Thailand’s food culture and public health strategy [Washington Post][PNAS article summary].

A groundbreaking international study has toppled one of the most persistent beliefs about obesity: the idea that sedentary lifestyles in wealthy countries are chiefly to blame for the global epidemic of excess weight. Instead, new research published this week in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) points squarely at what we eat—particularly the prevalence of ultra-processed foods—as the dominant cause of rising obesity rates around the world (Washington Post).

A major international study is upending deeply held beliefs about obesity, concluding that excess calorie consumption—not a lack of physical activity—is the primary cause of the obesity epidemic in the United States and other developed nations. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) this week, suggest that decades of public health campaigns blaming sedentary behavior for rising obesity rates may be missing the real culprit: modern diets.

A sweeping international study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is challenging one of the most entrenched beliefs about obesity: that sedentary lifestyles in wealthy nations are the main culprit behind rising rates of overweight and obesity. Instead, the study points a much sharper spotlight at diet—specifically, the prevalence of ultra-processed foods—as the major driver of the global obesity crisis. As Thailand and other middle-income nations grapple with rising rates of obesity, these findings hold urgent implications for public health policies, education campaigns, and everyday choices at the dining table.

A groundbreaking new study tracking over 540,000 adults for nearly 30 years has ignited alarm across the global health community, revealing a significant link between diets high in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and an increased risk of early death. Published in July 2025 and widely cited by international health experts, the research found that participants consuming the most ultra-processed foods had about a 10% higher risk of dying early, compared to those with the lowest consumption levels. With ultra-processed foods now a staple in many Thai diets, these findings carry urgent implications for national health and daily food choices.

A new digital grassroots movement is gaining momentum on American college campuses, where students, inspired by social media and a growing distrust of mainstream nutrition advice, are rejecting ultra-processed foods, plastics, and so-called “forever chemicals” in favor of a “crunchy,” whole foods lifestyle. As reported in a recent New York Post feature, this subculture—previously confined to niche communities—has found energised new leaders among young people broadcasting their holistic health crusades on TikTok.

A new analysis by a California-based nutritionist has reignited global debate about rising obesity rates, highlighting how changes in food habits, physical activity, and daily routines have reshaped public health since the 1960s. With obesity affecting 43% of Americans in 2024—more than triple the 13% rate recorded in the 1960s—the findings resonate well beyond the United States, including among Thais increasingly exposed to Western fast food, sedentary lifestyles, and evolving sleep habits. The nutritionist’s insights, summarised from recent media interviews and supported by scholarly research, remind us that slimming secrets from the past could offer crucial lessons for preventing modern health crises in Thailand and across the globe (Daily Mail).

A recent US report reveals that ultra-processed foods now account for 60% of American diets, raising urgent questions about the health costs of convenience and what this trend may signal for Thai consumers (WRAL). As Thailand’s urban lifestyles evolve and Western-style diets gain popularity, Thai health experts warn the nation may be following a similar—and troubling—trajectory.

Ultra-processed foods, often packaged for convenience, include items like sweetened breakfast cereals, instant noodles, reconstituted meat products, and sugary drinks. These foods are typically high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, salt, and artificial additives, while being low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health). The sheer scale observed in the US—where more than half of daily caloric intake comes from such products—has serious implications for public health: studies consistently link diets high in ultra-processed foods to increased rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even some cancers (BMJ).

A growing body of research and expert dietary advice is converging on a clear message: increasing the size and substance of meals may be one of the most practical ways for individuals to reduce their consumption of ultra-processed snacks, a major contributor to a range of chronic health problems worldwide. This recommendation, spotlighted in a recent report by Business Insider, is resonating globally and holds considerable relevance for Thai readers, as Thailand grapples with rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases tied to eating habits.

A new wave of scientific concern is sweeping the globe after researchers found a strong association between consuming ultra-processed foods and a shortened lifespan, according to a recent study highlighted in Prevention magazine. The findings, reported earlier this year, reinforce mounting evidence that diets high in heavily processed foods—such as instant noodles, packaged snacks, sweetened beverages, and ready-to-eat meals—could be taking tangible years off people’s lives, raising urgent public health questions for Thailand and beyond.

A wave of new research underscores a compelling message for public health: cutting out ultra-processed foods may significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer, according to leading medical professionals. Recent coverage in the UK-based GetSurrey highlighted doctors’ warnings that a single change in our diets—drastically reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods—could be one of the most effective ways to lower the likelihood of cancer onset across the population [source].

This news comes at a crucial juncture for Thai readers, as the adoption of Westernized diets heavy in processed foods accelerates in urban communities. Against a backdrop of rising cancer rates both in Thailand and globally, the public health implications of dietary choices have never been more relevant.

A major rift in U.S. health research has surfaced with the early retirement of Dr. Kevin Hall, a renowned scientist from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), who has publicly cited censorship and recent political interference as the driving force behind his departure. Dr. Hall’s resignation has sent shockwaves through the global nutrition science community, reigniting concerns about the politicization of scientific research—a development with far-reaching implications for how countries like Thailand address the growing crises of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and ultraprocessed food consumption.

Strolling down the aisles of any modern supermarket, shoppers from Bangkok to Buriram are awash in attractive food packaging touting claims like “heart healthy,” “high in protein,” or “low-carb.” But intriguing new research and regulatory discussions are challenging whether these tempting promises really hold up—and how consumers in Thailand and worldwide might be misled by what’s known as “nutriwashing” or “healthwashing” Yahoo.

What is nutriwashing? Marketers routinely use buzzwords like “natural,” “gluten-free,” and “immune-boosting” to confer a health halo on processed foods. Yet, as Lindsay Malone, a registered dietician and nutrition instructor at Case Western Reserve University, tells Yahoo Life, “These claims influence consumer decisions by creating the illusion of healthiness, leading shoppers to choose products they believe are better for them when, in reality, they may still be highly processed and nutritionally poor.” Her warning echoes international studies that found many foods labeled as “high in protein” or “whole grain” may contain surprisingly high levels of sugar, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives PubMed, 2024.

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that consuming combinations of common food additives could incrementally increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Conducted by researchers from Université Sorbonne Paris Nord and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, the study analyzed data from over 108,000 French adults who participated in the NutriNet-Santé study. This longstanding research initiative explores various food-health connections. The findings highlight that while individual additives have been tied to several health issues previously, this research points to the potentially heightened risk posed by mixtures more commonly found in today’s diets.

In an era where protein intake is often heralded as the cornerstone of a healthy diet, a recent examination of the burgeoning industry of protein-enhanced foods poses critical questions about their actual health benefits. The lure of protein-packed yoghurts, pizzas, and even beverages is increasingly dominating fitness advice, drawing attention due to their perceived health advantages. However, a deeper dive into the science behind these products reveals a more nuanced reality.