Ultra-Processed Foods and Excess Heart Age Among US Adults

Author(s)

Yang, Quanhe ^[1] ; Zhang, Zefeng ^[1] ; Steele, Euridice Martinez ^{[2, 3]} ; Moore, V, Latetia ; Jackson, Sandra L. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Div Heart Dis & Stroke Prevent, Natl Ctr Chron Dis Prevent & Hlth Promot, Atlanta, GA 30341 - USA

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Nutr, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Epidemiol Studies Hlth & Nutr, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE; v. 59, n. 5, p. E197-E206, NOV 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Introduction: A high percentage of total calories from ultra-processed foods has been associated with several cardiovascular disease risk factors. No study has examined the association between ultra-processed foods and heart age. This study examines the association between ultra-processed foods and excess heart age (difference between estimated heart age and chronological age) among U.S. adults. Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2016) data for participants aged 30-74 years without cardiovascular disease or stroke (n=12,640) was used. Ultra-processed food was assigned based on NOVA classification of food processing, with ultra-processed food being the highest level. This study estimated the usual percentage of calories from ultra-processed foods and used sex-specific Framingham heart age algorithms to calculate heart age. The multivariable linear or logistic regression was used to examine the association between ultra-processed foods and excess heart age or likelihood of excess heart age being >= 10 years. Data analyses were conducted in 2020. Results: The median usual percentage of calories from ultra-processed foods was 54.5% (IQR=45.8%-63.1%). Adjusted excess heart age increased from 7.0 years (95% CI=6.4, 7.6) in the lowest quintile (Q1) to 9.9 years (95% CI=9.2, 10.5) in the highest quintile (Q5) (p<0.001). Compared with Q1, AORs for excess heart age of >= 10 years were 1.16 (95% CI=1.08, 1.25) in Q2, 1.29 (95% CI=1.14, 1.46) in Q3, 1.43 (95% CI=1.20, 1.71) in Q4, and 1.66 (95% CI=1.29, 2.14) in Q5 (p<0.001). The pattern of association was largely consistent across subgroups. Conclusions: U.S. adults consumed more than half of total daily calories from ultra-processed foods. A higher percentage of calories from ultra-processed foods was associated with higher excess heart age and likelihood of excess heart age of >= 10 years. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Journal of Preventive Medicine. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/17972-9 - Ultra-processed foods and 'protein leverage hypothesis': a study in seven countries
• Grantee: Eurídice Martínez Steele
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral