Association between ultra-processed food consumption, sociodemographic characteristics, malnutrition and obesity among urban school-aged children in Lilongwe, Malawi: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The escalating consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among school-aged children in developing countries poses a significant threat to public health, contributing to the dual burden of malnutrition. In Malawi, where undernutrition coexists with a burgeoning obesity epidemic, understanding the determinants of UPF consumption and its impact on children's nutritional status is imperative. This study, conducted in Lilongwe, Malawi, aimed to investigate the association between UPF consumption, sociodemographic factors and the nutritional status of school-aged children.