AbstractObjectiveTo identify the energy contributions of NOVA food groups in the Mexican diet and the associations between individual sociodemographic characteristics and the energy contribution of ultra-processed foods (UPF).DesignWe classified foods and beverages reported in a 24 h recall according to the NOVA food framework into: (i) unprocessed or minimally processed foods; (ii) processed culinary ingredients; (iii) processed foods; and (iv) UPF. We estimated the energy contribution of each food group and ran a multiple linear regression to identify the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and UPF energy contribution.SettingMexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012.SubjectsIndividuals ≥1 years old (n10 087).ResultsUnprocessed or minimally processed foods had the highest dietary energy contribution (54·0 % of energy), followed by UPF (29·8 %), processed culinary ingredients (10·2 %) and processed foods (6·0 %). The energy contribution of UPF was higher in: pre-school-aged childrenv. other age groups (3·8 to 12·5 percentage points difference (pp)); urban areasv. rural (5·6 pp); the Central and North regionsv. the South (2·7 and 8·4 pp, respectively); medium and high socio-economic statusv. low (4·5 pp, in both); and with higher head of household educational levelv. without education (3·4 to 7·8 pp).ConclusionsIn 2012, about 30 % of energy in the Mexican diet came from UPF. Our results showed that younger ages, urbanization, living in the North region, high socio-economic status and high head of household educational level are sociodemographic factors related to higher consumption of UPF in Mexico.