Parents: Is Your Child Struggling with Anxiety or Depression? Their “Junk Food” Consumption Might Be a Key Factor.

This has been a long-standing issue, particularly among immigrant parents who want their families to fit into their new Canadian environment at any cost. Usually, this starts with small changes, such as mimicking the appearance and behaviors of people deemed worthy of emulating. However, this desire to seem “more Canadian than Canadians” can gradually lead to significant shifts in social, cultural, and dietary practices for both the parents and their children.

Sadly, many immigrant parents do not prioritize what their children eat outside the home. Even if they were aware, consuming “Canadian junk food” might not raise alarms for them, as it serves as a visible marker of their child’s assimilation into Canadian culture.

Recently published research in “Global Mind Health 2025” highlights a growing concern among parents: the link between younger generations’ diets and their mental health. Although the detrimental impact of junk food on physical health has long been suspected, new evidence suggests that it also severely affects emotional resilience and cognitive well-being.

This report analyzes data from 85 countries and reveals alarming statistics: 41% of internet-enabled adults aged 18 to 34 are experiencing clinically significant mental health difficulties, a much higher rate compared to older adults. Notably, Generation Z is nearly four times more likely than those over 55 to struggle with everyday functioning.

How Do Ultra-Processed Foods Deteriorate Kids’ Mental Health?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially manufactured products high in harmful ingredients, such as salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. These foods are often loaded with additives to extend their shelf life, which have been linked to diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. New research indicates that the detrimental effects may go beyond physical health.

For example, excessive exposure to easily accessible, high-fat, nutrient-poor foods can cause “long-lasting changes in how the brain regulates eating, even after unhealthy diets are ceased,” according to a team of scientists from University College Cork in Ireland. Their paper, published in the journal Nature Communications in late February 2026, warns that exposure to poor diets during early life can significantly affect a child’s appetite regulation.

Most critically, the report estimates that UPF consumption may account for 15-30% of the mental health burden among young adults, a statistic significant enough to warrant a shift in health priorities.

Why Is Generation Z More Vulnerable to UPFs?

Globally, UPFs have become staples for young people due to their taste, affordability, convenience, and aggressive marketing across digital platforms. According to the study, 54% of 18-34-year-olds regularly consume UPFs, compared to just 26% of those aged 55 and older.

Gen Z’s Mental Health: A Compounding Crisis

While UPFs are not the sole factor affecting Generation Z’s mental well-being, they certainly exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. When combined with issues such as sleep deprivation, excessive screen time, increasing loneliness, and academic or career pressure, a diet high in UPFs can worsen mood disorders and diminish resilience to stress.

What Do We Do Moving Forward?

The good news is that diet is one of the most manageable factors to change. Studies show that reducing UPF intake while increasing whole foods, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and fiber-rich meals can enhance mood, cognitive clarity, and stability within weeks.

Ultimately, the responsibility for initiating this change lies with parents. Reviving the culture of home-cooked meals that we were raised with is a good starting point. Sharing family meals around the table while discussing the day’s experiences can also foster a positive environment.

Will it be challenging to revert to better eating habits of the past? Not necessarily. The available information on the risks of UPFs is extensive, and our children are already beginning to question what they eat, which offers hope. However, substantial change will not be sustainable without corporate and institutional support. Structural changes, clearer food labeling, restrictions on aggressive marketing, and improved nutritional education are essential.

Is this easier said than done? Certainly, but if consumers demand accountability from their governments and the media begins to ask tough questions instead of merely echoing those in power, meaningful change is possible. 

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