School-based behaviour change intervention to reduce ultra-processed food consumption among adolescents

A cluster randomised controlled trial was published in the BMJ Global Health on 9th January 2026, investigating whether the intervention delivered would lead to a reduction in the consumption of UPF in adolescents and their parents in India.

Researchers found that "The intervention significantly reduced UPF energy intake among adolescents by 1062 Kcal/day (95% CI −2100 to –67) and processed food by 274 Kcal/day (95% CI −526 to –23). However, no significant changes were observed in the consumption of minimally processed and unprocessed foods.

Taking part were 12 clusters of 30 adolescents and a parent per adolescent. A total of 173 adolescents completed the study in the intervention arm. The intervention included 11 x 30 minute sessions over a period of six months as well as supplementary activities. The session outlines are available in the supplementary material. Participants were taught nutrition theory as well as practical skills such as label reading.

The endline survey was completed eight months after the intervention due to the pandemic; however, this gives an indication of the mid term impact of the intervention. Whilst it may not be possible to transfer this intervention to other countries and get the same results, the detailed supplementary information may support the development of other interventions looking to reduce UPF in adolescents.

You can read the full paper in the BMJ here

Reference:

Kaur, S., Kumar, R., & Kaur, M. (2026). School-based behaviour change intervention to reduce ultra-processed food consumption among adolescents: evidence from a cluster-randomised controlled trial in India. BMJ global health, 11(1), e020799. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2025-020799