As the available number and variety of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF) have increased, so have our waistlines. Obesity rates in adults have skyrocketed over the last 50 years, and it has become pervasive in modern society. More shockingly, it has become rampant in children. In the UK alone, about 21% of children are considered obese by the time they finish elementary school.
obesity [ oˈbisətɪ ] n. 肥胖 pervasive [ pɚˈvesɪv ] a. 遍布的，到處存在的 shockingly [ ˈʃɑkɪŋlɪ ] adv. 驚人地，令人難以置信地 rampant[ ˈræmpənt ] a. 猖獗的，氾濫的，失控的 obese [ oˈbis ] a. 肥胖的
A new joint effort by the BBC and researchers at the University College of London (UCL) plans to address this question in their new documentary. Dr. Chris van Tulleken, from UCL’s Division of Infection and Immunity, will present the documentary as he subjects himself to a month-long UPF diet. The experiment was overseen by Professor Rachel Batterham, head of the UCL Centre for Obesity Research.
BBC 和倫敦大學學院（UCL）聯手推出了一個新的企畫，打算要在他們的新紀錄片中探討這個問題。UCL 感染與免疫學部的克里斯．范．圖勒肯醫師將主持這部紀錄片，他在片中讓自己進行一個月的超級加工食品飲食。這個實驗由 UCL 肥胖研究中心的負責人瑞秋．巴特漢教授監督。
The goal was to determine if UPFs are what’s causing obesity in children, and if they are addictive. No current clinical studies on this subject matterexist, so the effects of UPFs on children’s bodies are unknown. Dr.van Tulleken altered his diet to consist of 80% UPF for over four weeks, and had his health monitored by Professor Batterham. An MRI was taken of Dr. van Tulleken’s brain at the beginning of the experiment and then again at the end in order to determine any neurologicalchanges.
addictive [ əˈdɪktɪv ] a. 使人成癮的 clinical [ ˈklɪnɪkl̩ ] a. 臨床的 alter [ ˈɔltɚ ] vt. 改變 monitor [ ˈmɑnətɚ ] vt. 監測，監督
The results at the month’s end were clear. The UPF diet had changed the hormonesmade in Dr. van Tulleken’s stomach, making him feel hungrier and causing him to gain weight. It also built new connections in his brain, likely increasing his cravings and desire for more UPF items.
