Consumption of ultra-processed food in emerging countries: Evidence from a rural-urban gradient in Vietnam

The analysis shows that consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is increasing in low- and middle-income countries and highlights the extent of this issue in Vietnam. It finds that UPF consumption is higher in rural areas than in urban ones, and that poorer households are generally less likely to consume these products when other factors are held constant. The findings also emphasize the importance of distinguishing between different categories of ultra-processed foods in order to better understand consumption patterns.