Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are defined as formulations mostly of cheap industrial sources of dietary energy and nutrients plus additives using a series of processes. UPFs dominate the food supply of high-income countries, where numerous studies have suggested that higher dietary share of UPF is associated with greater risk of several chronic diseases and reduced survival in general populations.

UPFs are rapidly spreading in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), although studies are limited and inconclusive. Exploration of UPF in LMICs could bring to light the impact of common contributing factors including ethnicity, ingredients, tropical food consumption, occupational stress, and genetic or environmental factors.

We invite Original Articles and Reviews on UPF consumption and its influence on health outcomes in LMICs. Key health outcome topics include:

• Maternal diets and offspring outcomes: from pre-pregnancy to neonatal outcomes
• Health parameters of pre-schoolers, school and college-going students
• All types of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes mellitus
• Mortality or morbidity rates
• Physical activity outcomes
• Nutrition education/awareness and eating practices across various socioeconomic settings
• Other health outcomes in a general population

This call for papers is open until 31 December 2024

IJPH publishes Gold Open Access. Article processing charges (APCs) apply. The IJPH’s GLOBEQUITY program offers a limited number of APC waivers for first authors from low- and middle-income countries.

IJPH double-blind peer-review and author guidelines apply. Submitted manuscripts must fully comply with IJPH rules for article type, length and format (please consult the information for authors on the IJPH website).

Please submit the complete manuscript. In case of acceptance after peer review, articles will be published in the online special issue approximately 3 weeks after acceptance.

Contact: IJPH Editorial Office: ijph@swisstph.ch

Article types and fees

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Commentary
• Editorial
• Hints and Kinks
• Letter to the Editor
• Original Article
• Review
• Theory & Concept
• Young Researcher Editorial

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Commentary
• Editorial
• Hints and Kinks
• Letter to the Editor
• Original Article
• Review
• Theory & Concept
• Young Researcher Editorial

Keywords: ultra-processed food, UPF, health, diseases, low- and middle-income countries, nutrition