Ultra-processed food consumption and risk of obesity: a prospective cohort study of UK Biobank

Author(s)

Rauber, Fernanda ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Chang, Kiara ^[3] ; Vamos, Eszter P. ^[3] ; da Costa Louzada, Maria Laura ^{[1, 2]} ; Monteiro, Carlos Augusto ^{[1, 2]} ; Millett, Christopher ^{[2, 3]} ; Levy, Renata Bertazzi ^{[4, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Nutr, Ave Dr Arnaldo 715, BR-01246904 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Epidemiol Res Nutr & Hlth, BR-01246904 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Imperial Coll London, Sch Publ Hlth, Publ Hlth Policy Evaluat Unit, London W6 8RP - England

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Prevent Med, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUTRITION; v. 60, n. 4, p. 2169-2180, JUN 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the associations between ultra-processed food consumption and risk of obesity among UK adults. Methods Participants aged 40-69 years at recruitment in the UK Biobank (2006-2019) with dietary intakes collected using 24-h recall and repeated measures of adiposity--body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and percentage of body fat (% BF)--were included (N = 22,659; median follow-up: 5 years). Ultra-processed foods were identified using the NOVA classification and their consumption was expressed as a percentage of total energy intake. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) of several indicators of obesity according to ultra-processed food consumption. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. Results 947 incident cases of overall obesity (BMI >= 30 kg/m(2)) and 1900 incident cases of abdominal obesity (men: WC >= 102 cm, women: WC >= 88 cm) were identified during follow-up. Participants in the highest quartile of ultra-processed food consumption had significantly higher risk of developing overall obesity (HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.06-3.03) and abdominal obesity (HR 1.30; 95% CI 1.14-1.48). They had higher risk of experiencing a >= 5% increase in BMI (HR 1.31; 95% CI 1.20-1.43), WC (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.25-1.45) and %BF (HR 1.14; 95% CI 1.03-1.25), than those in the lowest quartile of consumption. Conclusions Our findings provide evidence that higher consumption of ultra-processed food is strongly associated with a higher risk of multiple indicators of obesity in the UK adult population. Policy makers should consider actions that promote consumption of fresh or minimally processed foods and reduce consumption of ultra-processed foods. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/26660-0 - Ultra-processed food consumption and incidence of diabetes in the English population: Biobank cohort
• Grantee: Renata Bertazzi Levy
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• FAPESP's process: 15/14900-9 - Consumption of ultra-processed foods, dietary nutrient profile diet and obesity in seven countries
• Grantee: Carlos Augusto Monteiro
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/14302-7 - Consumption of ultra-processed foods and indicators of diet quality in Australia
• Grantee: Fernanda Rauber
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/19820-1 - Ultra-processed foods consumption and obesity in UK Biobank cohort
• Grantee: Fernanda Rauber
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor