Ultra-processed food consumption, socio-demographics and diet quality in Australian adults

Abstract

Objective: To examine how socio-demographic characteristics and diet quality vary with consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in a cross-sectional nationally representative survey of Australian adults. Design: Using a 24-hour recall, this cross-sectional analysis of dietary and socio-demographic data classified food items using the NOVA system, estimated the percentage of total energy contributed by UPFs and assessed diet quality using the Dietary Guideline Index (DGI – 2013 total and components). Linear regression models examined associations between socio-demographic characteristics and diet quality with percentage of energy from UPFs. Setting: Australian Health Survey 2011-13 Participants: Australian Adults aged ≥ 19 years (n=8,209) Results: Consumption of UPFs was higher among younger adults (19-30 years), adults born in Australia, those experiencing greatest area level disadvantage, lower levels of education, and the second lowest household income quintile. No significant association was found for sex or rurality. A higher percentage of energy from UPFs was inversely associated with diet quality and with lower DGI scores related to the variety of nutritious foods, fruits, vegetables, total cereals, meat and poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, legumes/beans, water and limits on discretionary foods, saturated fat and added sugar. Conclusions: This research adds to the evidence on dietary inequalities across Australia and how UPFs are detrimental to diet quality. The findings can be used to inform interventions to reduce UPF consumption and improve diet quality.

Moving towards a Healthier Dietary Pattern Free of Ultra-Processed Foods

“…The lack of nutritional education, together with marketing strategies and the reduced prices of UPFs, easily mislead consumers, promoting its consumption. These findings are consistent with previous results about the inverse association between educational level and UPF consumption [ 7 , 9 , 10 ]. Nevertheless, studies conducted in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico reported a higher UPF intake among the richest individuals with higher educational levels [ 13 , 15 , 16 ].…”

“…In addition, a worse dietary profile (higher energy density, and higher intake of total carbohydrates, free sugar, and total and saturated fat) was associated with UPF consumption, young individuals showing the highest UPFs consumption. Similar results have been reported by Marchese et al [ 9 ] and Magalhães et al [ 7 ], who showed how sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, educational level, marital status, smoking status, living in disadvantaged areas or with lower socioeconomic position) and diet quality modify the consumption of UPF. There is strong evidence for the association between age and UPF consumption.…”

“…In order to develop and apply food policies to counteract the negative effects of the consumption of UPFs and their impact on health, it is important to identify which factors (including sociodemographic and behavioral) are associated with UPF consumption, as well as the main UPF dietary sources [ 6 , 7 ]. Unhealthy dietary patterns characterized by high consumption of energy-dense foods and low intake of fruits and vegetables, together with socioeconomically disadvantaged conditions (lower educational level or socioeconomic position, or individuals living in disadvantaged areas), are directly associated with an unhealthy nutritional profile and higher risk of chronic disease [ 6 , 9 ]. In this sense, Calixto Andrade et al [ 10 ] examined how socioeconomic characteristics and diet quality vary according to UPF intake, in a cross-sectional nationally representative survey, the Étude Nationale Nutrition Santé, of French adults (2642 participants, aged between 18 to 74 years old).…”

“…Moreover, their meal pattern is mainly irregular, and they tend to eat more snacks, fast food, and energy-dense food, compared with older individuals [ 11 , 12 ]. Nevertheless, the data reported by Calixto Andrade et al [ 10 ] showed that UPF consumption is inversely associated with age, Marchese et al [ 9 ] found that elderly individuals (≥71 years) consumed more UPF, compared with adults (51–70 years old). Authors argued that the lack of motivation or access to convenience products may explain the differences observed with other studied populations.…”

Projected New-Onset Cardiovascular Disease by Socioeconomic Group in Australia

“…The availability of biomarker data in the NHS was limited to 3,299 individuals from a sample of more than 20,000, which could have introduced potential for selection bias. Finally, a recent Australian study analysing consumption of ultra-processed foods reported that the second lowest household income quintile had the higher rates of ultra-processed food consumption in Australia, which could have an impact on CVD risk [43].…”