Association between Consumption of Ultra-Processed Food and Body Composition of Adults in a Capital City of a Brazilian Region

Abstract

The present study investigates the relationship between the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and anthropometric indices of body composition in adults and seniors living in Teresina, the state capital of an area in northeastern Brazil. The article seeks to address two questions: Is UPF consumption linked to worsening body composition in different age groups? Do anthropometric indicators of body composition change with the increasing consumption of UPF? The study is a cross-sectional, household, population study, carried out with 490 adults and seniors. The food consumption was obtained with a 24 h food recall, and the foods were classified using NOVA. Anthropometric indicators evaluated were waist-to-height ratio, triceps skinfold thickness, arm circumference, corrected arm muscle area, subscapular skinfold thickness, and calf circumference. The association between energy contribution of UPF with anthropometric indicators was verified with a simple and multiple linear regression analysis. Individuals aged 20 to 35 years showed a significant association between UPF consumption and skinfold thickness (ß: 0.04; CI: 0.03/0.09), demonstrating an increase in this subcutaneous body fat marker with higher UPF consumption. Moreover, in participants aged 36 to 59 years, an inverse correlation between UPF intake and muscle mass markers, arm circumference (ß: −0.02; confidence interval: −0.03/−0.01), and corrected arm muscle area (ß: −0.07; confidence interval: −0.12/−0.02) were observed. Such results suggest there is decreased muscle mass with increasing UPF consumption. This is the first study that verified an association between UPF consumption and low-cost body composition indicators in different age groups.

Higher ultra processed foods intake is associated with low muscle mass in young to middle-aged adults: a cross-sectional NHANES study

“…Studies conducted in China involving adults over 40 years of age demonstrated a negative correlation between UPFs and grip strength ( 37 ), while investigations in Brazilian adolescents found associations between UPFs and body composition, particularly lean body mass ( 38 ). Furthermore, studies in Brazilian adults indicated that UPFs were linked to specific markers of muscle mass, such as arm circumference ( 39 ). These findings are consistent with our prior assumptions, which have been further corroborated by the current study, indicating a negative relationship between UPFs and muscle mass in adults.…”

Mercury in Fish and Human Hair and Estimated Dietary Intake in a Riverside Community of the Madeira River Basin in the Brazilian Amazon

“…However, there is a tradeoff between changes in eating habits and Hg accumulation. Despite the reduction in direct exposure through fish consumption, the intake of ultra-processed foods results in high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and the accumulation of body fat (overweight) [87,88]. Thus, considering that MeHg has a lipophilic character, excess body fat can result in greater potential for bioaccumulation in the human body, even with a reduction in fish consumption [80].…”