Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, as defined by the NOVA classification, is associated with elevated levels of systemic inflammatory biomarkers including C-reactive protein, interleukin-8, and leptin in children and adolescents, independent of obesity status.

When children and teens eat a lot of ultra-processed foods, the high amounts of sugar, refined carbs, and unhealthy fats overwhelm their bodies, causing fat tissue to become stressed and dysfunctional. This stressed fat tissue releases inflammatory signals into the blood, which activate immune cells and cause the liver to produce more inflammation markers like CRP. These signals also interfere with how the body uses insulin and regulate blood sugar, keeping inflammation high even if the child is not overweight.