The Southern Italian Children, Adolescents and paRents cOhort Study on nutrition and health: protocol of the ICARO Study

In Italy, around 30% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, with higher rates in the South. Parental dietary habits influence children’s eating behaviours, yet most studies focus on food composition without considering the level of food processing. The Nova classification categorises foods by processing levels, suggesting that food processing may affect health beyond nutritional content. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), such as sugary drinks and packaged snacks, are calorie-dense and contain cosmetic food additives. High UPF consumption is linked to obesity, chronic diseases, and poor cognitive development in children. However, no comprehensive up-todate assessment of UPF consumption among Italian children exists. To address this gap, the ICARO Study was launched in Southern Italy as a web-based cohort of children, adolescents, and their parents. This study aims to evaluate UPF consumption and its correlates, and assess the impact of a nutrition education intervention on reducing UPF intake at the family level.