Longitudinal associations between ultra-processed foods and blood lipids in childhood

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) plays a role in the development of chronic diseases, but evidence of their influence in children is limited. Our objective was to study longitudinal trends of UPF intake and determine their impact on blood lipids in young children. The present study was a follow-up of a randomised field trial of children (n 308) from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Dietary intake was collected using two 24-h recalls at 3 and 6 years of age, and consumption of UPF was classified according to the NOVA system, a food classification based on the extent and purpose of industrial food processing. At age 6 years, blood tests were performed to measure lipid profile. Contribution of UPF to total energy intake increased by 10 % during the follow-up period, from 43·4 % at 3 years to 47·7 % at 6 years of age. Linear regression models showed that children in the highest tertile of UPF consumption at age 3 years had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC; β 0·22 mmol/l; 95 % CI 0·04, 0·39) and TAG at age 6 years (β 0·11 mmol/l, 95 % CI 0·01, 0·20) compared with those in the lowest tertile. A positive dose–response was observed for an absolute increment of 10 % of UPF on TC (β 0·07 mmol/l, 95 % CI 0·00, 0·14) and TAG (β 0·04 mmol/l, 95 % CI 0·01, 0·07). Based on our data, consumption of UPF increased significantly over time and was associated with higher blood lipid levels in children from a low-income community. Our findings highlight the need for effective strategies to minimise the consumption of UPF in early life.

Can the Consumption of Ultra-Processed Food Be Associated with Anthropometric Indicators of Obesity and Blood Pressure in Children 7 to 10 Years Old?

“…The consumption of ultra-processed food was not associated with the anthropometric indicators of obesity and blood pressure, corroborating a previous study [24]. However, longitudinal studies conducted with Brazilian children reinforce the possible negative effects of ultra-processed foods on children's health, such as increased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) [25], triglycerides [26], and waist circumference [27]. These changes are associated with an increased risk for cardiometabolic disease [5,77].…”

“…In adolescents, the high consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome [23], while the ingestion of minimally processed foods was inversely associated with overweight [24]. Although longitudinal studies with Brazilian children associated the consumption of ultra-processed foods with increased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) [25], triglycerides [26], and waist circumference [27], the influence of different degrees of food processing on indicators of obesity and blood pressure in children is still poorly described.…”

Ultra-Processed Foods and Health Outcomes: A Narrative Review

“…Study types were ecological ( n = 3), cross-sectional ( n = 19), prospective cohort ( n = 19), case–control ( n = 1); and one randomised controlled trial (RCT). Studies were conducted in Brazil ( n = 16) [ 53 , 56 , 62 , 63 , 66 , 70 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 ], France ( n = 8) [ 61 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 ], Spain ( n = 6) [ 65 , 72 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 ], USA ( n = 4) [ 59 , 67 , 71 , 94 ], Canada ( n = 2) [ 57 , 68 ], UK ( n = 2) [ 55 , 60 ], and one each in Sweden [ 36 ], Lebanon [ 69 ] and Malaysia [ 64 ]. There was one study on 19 European countries [ 52 ], and one global study [ 37 ].…”

“…In children and adolescents (Brazil only) the proportion of total energy intake from UPF was reported as 41.8–43.4% at ages 3–4 years, 47.7–49.2% at ages 6–8 years [ 77 , 78 , 79 ] and 50.6% in adolescents [ 73 ]. One study reported 46.2% of adolescents consumed UPF weekly (median ≥ 3 times per week) [ 76 ], and another study reported frequency intakes varied from 9.9 (private schools) to 14.5 (public schools) times per day [ 74 ].…”

“…No association with fasting glucose or insulin was detected [ 78 ]. Leffer et al [ 79 ] following young children, for three years found those children in the highest tertile of UPF energy intake at age 3 had higher levels of total cholesterol, and tri-acyl glycerol at age 6 than those in the lowest tertile [ 79 ].…”