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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:
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.
Using the NOVA classification, the 110 food items from the FFQ heart were categorized in four proposed categories:
Per category three types of variables have been created:
Questions English | Questions Dutch | Code | Variable | Assessment | Age |
food intake (gram per day) / NOVA classification 1: unprocessed or minimally processed food | voedselinname (gram per dag) / NOVA classificatie 1: onbewerkte of minimaal bewerkte voeding | nova_foodintake_adu_c_1 | nova1 | 1A | 18+ |
food intake (gram per day) / NOVA classification 2: processed culinary ingredient | voedselinname (gram per dag) / NOVA classificatie 2: bewerkt culinair ingrediënt | nova_foodintake_adu_c_2 | nova2 | 1A | 18+ |
food intake (gram per day) / NOVA classification 3: processed food | voedselinname (gram per dag) / NOVA classificatie 3: bewerkt voedsel | nova_foodintake_adu_c_3 | nova3 | 1A | 18+ |
food intake (gram per day) / NOVA classification 4: ultra-processed food | voedselinname (gram per dag) / NOVA classificatie 4: ultabewerkt voedsel | nova_foodintake_adu_c_4 | nova4 | 1A | 18+ |
percentage of total food intake / NOVA classification 1: unprocessed or minimally processed food | procent van totale voedselinname / NOVA classificatie 1: onbewerkte of minimaal bewerkte voeding | nova_percentage_adu_c_1 | nova1prt | 1A | 18+ |
percentage of total food intake / NOVA classification 2: processed culinary ingredient | procent van totale voedselinname / NOVA classificatie 2: bewerkt culinair ingrediënt | nova_percentage_adu_c_2 | nova2prt | 1A | 18+ |
percentage of total food intake / NOVA classification 3: processed food | procent van totale voedselinname / NOVA classificatie 3: bewerkt voedsel | nova_percentage_adu_c_3 | nova3prt | 1A | 18+ |
percentage of total food intake / NOVA classification 4: ultra-processed food | procent van totale voedselinname / NOVA classificatie 4: ultabewerkt voedsel | nova_percentage_adu_c_4 | nova4prt | 1A | 18+ |
grams/1000kcal / NOVA classification 1: unprocessed or minimally processed food | grams/1000kcal / NOVA classificatie 1: onbewerkte of minimaal bewerkte voeding | nova_weightperkcal_adu_c_1 | nova1kcal | 1A | 18+ |
grams/1000kcal / NOVA classification 2: processed culinary ingredient | grams/1000kcal / NOVA classificatie 2: bewerkt culinair ingrediënt | nova_weightperkcal_adu_c_2 | nova2kcal | 1A | 18+ |
grams/1000kcal / NOVA classification 3: processed food | grams/1000kcal / NOVA classificatie 3: bewerkt voedsel | nova_weightperkcal_adu_c_3 | nova3kcal | 1A | 18+ |
grams/1000kcal / NOVA classification 4: ultra-processed food | grams/1000kcal / NOVA classificatie 4: ultabewerkt voedsel | nova_weightperkcal_adu_c_4 | nova4kcal | 1A | 18+ |