National Institutes of Health–Supported Research on Ultraprocessed Foods

What research is being supported by the National Institutes of Health to investigate associations between ultraprocessed foods (UPF) and health outcomes?This Special Communication found that from fiscal year 2016 to fiscal year 2025, the National Institutes of Health invested over $95 million to support 81 UPF-specific research projects, with a majority (>70%) focusing on the connection between UPF consumption and various health conditions, including obesity. Thirty-six percent of research projects included interventions aimed at reducing UPF consumption, and less than 4% included interventions that addressed food access and/or insecurity and food environment.These findings suggest that there is a critical need for intervention research aimed at reducing UPF consumption through changes in food environment.

Corresponding Author: Nicholas J. Jury, PhD, Office of Nutrition Research, Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, 6705 Rockledge Dr, Ste 731-J, Bethesda, MD 20817 (Nicholas.Jury@nih.gov).

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