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High energy density diets characterized by processed foods, refined sugars, and saturated fats, combined with physical inactivity, are major preventable behavioral risk factors for obesity in Latin American populations.

Focus on reducing the intake of processed foods high in sugar and saturated fats while increasing physical activity. In Latin American urban contexts, this involves shifting away from high-energy density foods toward those with more fiber and micronutrients, as these are the primary drivers of the obesity epidemic in the region.

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Eating patterns that are characterized by high energy density diets, increased intakes of processed foods containing large amounts of refined sugars and saturated fats, and low intakes of fiber and micronutrients is considered the major preventable behavioral risk factors for obesity [7–9]. Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are also a preventable behavior associated with obesity...
the ELANS Study Group et al. · BMC Public Health · 2015

Why this rating

This is a study design/rationale paper citing existing literature; it does not present new primary data proving causality but establishes the framework for such investigation.

Source

Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS): rationale and study design

the ELANS Study Group et al. · BMC Public Health · 2015

DOI 10.1186/s12889-016-2765-y

cross_sectional · n=9000Cited 166×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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