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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

Per category three types of variables have been created:

  • Classification variable: which adds up the intake of all food items that belong to the specific category
  • Weight percentage variable: which indicates how much of the total food intake belongs to the specific category
  • Weight per 1000kcal variable: which presents the specific category per 1000 kcal

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.


Variables

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+
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upf_categorization.1667210785.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/10/31 11:06 by laura