Association Between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Metabolic Health Among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The objective is to investigate whether ultra-processed foods (UPF) are associated with a metabolically unhealthy phenotype in adults, and to examine whether different types of UPF are associated with different components of the metabolic syndrome. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. It has been approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. In total, 527 adults, aged 20-65 years were included in the study. The data on UPF consumption were collected by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The NOVA classification system was used to categorize foods into four groups. Metabolic health status was defined by Wildman’s criteria, whereas its components of the metabolic syndrome were defined by standard definitions. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: The proportion of energy from ultra-processed foods (UPF) has been rising to account for a large share of total energy intake in many countries. Increasing consumption of UPF has become a concern for human health with potential adverse effects on metabolic health. The evidence for association between UPF intake and prevalence of metabolic syndrome (METS) has been inconsistent, partly because of differences in study populations and their ages. Conclusion: The higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with higher odds of being in a metabolically unhealthy status and with hypertriglyceridemia in adults. This data supports public health strategies aimed at decreasing consumption of ultra-processed foods to improve metabolic health in adults.

Keywords: ultra-processed foods, metabolic health, metabolic syndrome, hypertriglyceridemia, adults, NOVA classification.