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Ultra-processed food categorization according to the NOVA classification

Researchers from the University Medical Center Groningen developed the Ultra-processed food (UPF) categorization for adults according to the NOVA classification using the Food Frequency Questionnaire Sum scores from the heart of the FFQ flower (1A Questionnaire 2). (sections: Nutrition and secondary & linked variables).

The UPF food categorization can be requested in the Lifelines catalogue or by mail (data@lifelines.nl). When this data has been used in your research, you will have to include a reference to the the following paper:

Background information

From the paper of Duan et al. (2022)
Research on UPF has been facilitated by the development of the NOVA classification. The NOVA classification is a frequently used method to categorize food and drinks based on the nature, extent, and purpose of food processing. The NOVA classification comprises four categories, ranging from un-processed/minimally processed food to UPF. According to the NOVA classification, UPF is mostly formulated from food substances and industrial ingredients that undergo a series of chemical and physical manufacturing processes. The resulting food products are often pre-packed, contain little or no intact (un-processed) food, and are considered microbiologically safe, convenient, and palatable.

Calculation of UPF categorization

Using the NOVA classification, the 110 food items from the FFQ heart were categorized in four proposed categories:

  1. Unprocessed or minimally processed food: for example fresh vegetables or fruits and unprocessed meat
  2. Processed culinary ingredient: for example butter or oil for cooking, sugar, and salt
  3. Processed food: for example canned vegetables or fish and fruits in syrup
  4. Ultra-processed food: for example processed meat, soft drinks

Remarks from the UMCG researchers

  1. The current categorization doesn't specifically handle the Betrouwbaarheid of energy intake (provided in the Food Frequency Questionnaire Sum scores). This could be a decision for other researchers using the UPF classification data.
  2. According to the NOVA classification, some alcohol products should also be characterized as ultra-processed food. However, we did not do this because alcohol may have separate health effects. Therefore, we analyze alcohol intake always as a separate covariate. This is also practiced by other papers from other cohorts.
  3. Additional calculations can be made. However, since there is no “golden standard” the researchers leave this up to the interpretation of users. Examples of additional calculations: high sugar content-ultra-processed food, Glycemic Index food, and quartiles/quintiles.


Variables

Questions English Questions Dutch Code Variable Assessment Age
NOVA classification 1: unprocessed or minimally processed food NOVA classificatie 1: onbewerkte of minimaal bewerkte voeding nova1 1A 18+
NOVA classification 2: processed culinary ingredient NOVA classificatie 2: bewerkt culinair ingrediënt nova2 1A 18+
NOVA classification 3: processed food NOVA classificatie 3: bewerkt voedsel nova3 1A 18+
NOVA classification 4: ultra-processed food NOVA classificatie 4: ultabewerkt voedsel nova4 1A 18+
NOVA1 Weight Percentage Unprocessed and Minimally Processed Food NOVA1 gewogen percentage onbewerkte of minimaal bewerkte voeding nova1prt 1A 18+
NOVA2 Weight Percentage Processed Culinary Ingredients NOVA2 gewogen percentage bewerkt culinair ingrediënt nova2prt 1A 18+
NOVA3 Weight Percentage Processed Food NOVA3 gewogen percentage bewerkt voedsel nova3prt 1A 18+
NOVA4 Weight Percentage Ultra-processed Food NOVA4 gewogen percentage ultrabewerkt voedsel nova4prt 1A 18+
NOVA1 Unprocessed and Minimally Processed Food grams/1000kcal NOVA1 onbewerkte of minimaal bewerkte voeding gram/1000kcal nova1kcal 1A 18+
NOVA2 Processed Culinary Ingredients grams/1000kcal NOVA2 bewerkt culinair ingrediënt gram/1000kcal nova2kcal 1A 18+
NOVA3 Processed food grams/1000kcal NOVA3 bewerkt voedsel gram/1000kcal nova3kcal 1A 18+
NOVA4 Ultra-processed Food grams/1000kcal NOVA4 ultrabewerkt voedsel gram/1000kcal nova4kcal 1A 18+
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upf_categorization.1665148654.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/10/07 15:17 by laura