The prevalence of overweight and obesity has become a global concern and is estimated to continue rising in the next decade. Obesity is one of the main risk factors for various chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke, and certain types of cancer. To address the escalating global health challenges posed by overweight, obesity, and related diseases, monitoring of population consumption patterns is crucial to inform and sustain policies and programmes promoting healthy nutrition practices.  

The NOVA 27 UPF (ultra-processed foods) Categories Tracker is a tool designed to estimate the consumption of ultra-processed foods and beverages, along with their caloric contribution to the diet. Designed and validated in Brazil, this tracker has also been adapted and validated for use in Quito, Ecuador, in a population over the age of 18. The documentation provided here serves as a comprehensive guide for researchers, nutritionists, and food intervention planners interested in applying this innovative tool in a specific population or at a national level.  

Documentation Overview: 

1. Guide for the adaptation, validation, application and analysis of data from the “NOVA 27 UPF Categories Tracker” 

2. Surveyor’s Manual on the Use of the Photographic Atlas of Standardized Foods and Beverages 

3. Surveyor’s Manual on the Virtual Application of the “NOVA 27 UPF Categories Tracker” and the “24-hour reminder” survey, multi-step method 

4. General guidelines for statistical validation of the tracker  

5. Guide for the adaptation, validation, application and analysis of data from the “NOVA 27 UPF Categories Tracker” in Ecuador.

For the Spanish version of these materials, click here. 

This work was done by a IMMANA funded grant recipient: A validation study of a dietary assessment instrument capturing ultra-processed food consumption in multiple countries.