This study investigates the association between ultraprocessed food (UPF) consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors in children. Using data from the Childhood Obesity Risk Assessment Longitudinal Study (CORALS), researchers analyzed 1,426 preschool children aged 3-6 years. They found that higher UPF consumption was positively associated with increased body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, fat mass index, and fasting plasma glucose, while it was negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for factors such as the Mediterranean diet score. Substituting 100 grams of UPFs with 100 grams of unprocessed or minimally processed foods was associated with lower z scores for BMI, fat mass index, and fasting plasma glucose. The study highlights the importance of promoting healthier dietary choices in early childhood to reduce cardiometabolic risks. The findings suggest that public health initiatives should focus on replacing UPFs with healthier alternatives. The study also notes that UPF consumption is more common among children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. The study's limitations include its observational nature and potential for misclassification in dietary intake. Overall, the study underscores the role of diet in shaping cardiometabolic health in children and the importance of early dietary habits in preventing future health issues.This study investigates the association between ultraprocessed food (UPF) consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors in children. Using data from the Childhood Obesity Risk Assessment Longitudinal Study (CORALS), researchers analyzed 1,426 preschool children aged 3-6 years. They found that higher UPF consumption was positively associated with increased body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, fat mass index, and fasting plasma glucose, while it was negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for factors such as the Mediterranean diet score. Substituting 100 grams of UPFs with 100 grams of unprocessed or minimally processed foods was associated with lower z scores for BMI, fat mass index, and fasting plasma glucose. The study highlights the importance of promoting healthier dietary choices in early childhood to reduce cardiometabolic risks. The findings suggest that public health initiatives should focus on replacing UPFs with healthier alternatives. The study also notes that UPF consumption is more common among children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. The study's limitations include its observational nature and potential for misclassification in dietary intake. Overall, the study underscores the role of diet in shaping cardiometabolic health in children and the importance of early dietary habits in preventing future health issues.