UNICEF finds more obese children malnourished, reigniting junk food tax debate

Description

Nutritional psychiatry researcher Megan Lee said people could become malnourished even if they ate a lot of food.

She said junk food did not have the "correct nutrients", including minerals, vitamins and fibre.

She is part of a group reviewing Australia's dietary guidelines, with recommendations expected to be released in 2026.

Dr Lee said there was an over-reliance on junk food in Australian diets.

"Because we have been assaulting our taste buds with this hyper-sweet and salty food for decades, it takes a while for us to recalibrate back to fresh food," she said.

Ultra-processed food and beverages are industrially formulated in factories, primarily from refined ingredients and additives with little or no whole foods.

"Junk foods" like chicken nuggets, hot dogs, lollies and soft drinks have high calories, added sugars, refined starches, salt and unhealthy fats.

UNICEF said these foods were designed to be convenient and highly palatable, but offered "little in terms of vitamins, minerals or fibre".

In high-income countries, including Australia and the US, the share of dietary energy derived from UPF ranges between 42 per cent and 58 per cent.