Ultra-processed foods drive to unhealthy diets: evidence from Chile

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the consumption of ultra-processed foods and its association with the overall dietary content of nutrients related to non-communicable diseases (NCD) in the Chilean diet and to estimate the population attributable fraction of ultra-processed food consumption on the unhealthy nutrient content. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of dietary data collected through a national survey (2010). Setting: Chile. Participants: Chilean population aged ≥2 years (n 4920). Results: In Chile, ultra-processed foods represented 28·6 % of the total energy intake. A significant positive association was found between the dietary share of ultra-processed foods and NCD-promoting nutrients such as dietary energy density (standardised regression coefficient (β) = 0·22), content of free sugars (β = 0·45), total fats (β = 0·26), saturated fats (β = 0·19), trans fats (β = 0·09) and Na:K ratio (β = 0·04), while a significant negative association was found with the content of NCD-protective nutrients such as K (β = –0·19) and fibre (β = –0·31). The content of Na (β = 0·02) presented no significant association. Except for Na, the prevalence of inadequate intake of all nutrients (WHO recommendations) increased across quintiles of the dietary share of ultra-processed foods. With the reduction of ultra-processed foods consumption to the level seen among the 20 % lowest consumers (3·8 % (0–9·3 %) of the total energy from ultra-processed foods), the prevalence of nutrient inadequacy would be reduced in almost three-fourths for trans fats; in half for energy density (foods); in around one-third for saturated fats, energy density (beverages), free sugars and total fats; in near 20 % for fibre and Na:K ratio and in 13 % for K. Conclusions: In Chile, decreasing the consumption of ultra-processed foods is a potentially effective way to achieve the WHO nutrient goals for the prevention of diet-related NCD.

Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods Increases the Likelihood of Having Obesity in Korean Women

“…Although the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake for total fats and saturated fats in the Korean population in this study was not relatively high, the prevalence of total fats and saturated fats in the highest quartile group was 2.8 and 4.3 times higher than that of the lowest quartile group among men and 3.3 and 4.3 times among women, respectively. Similar findings have been reported in previous studies conducted in Chile [ 9 ], the UK [ 7 ], and the USA [ 14 ]. In Chile, the prevalence of inadequate intake of free sugars, total fats, saturated fats, trans fats, potassium, and fiber (WHO recommendations) increased with the consumption of ultra-processed foods [ 9 ].…”

“…Similar findings have been reported in previous studies conducted in Chile [ 9 ], the UK [ 7 ], and the USA [ 14 ]. In Chile, the prevalence of inadequate intake of free sugars, total fats, saturated fats, trans fats, potassium, and fiber (WHO recommendations) increased with the consumption of ultra-processed foods [ 9 ]. In the USA, as the consumption of ultra-processed foods increased, the content of protein, fiber, and micronutrients decreased, while the consumption of carbohydrate, added sugars, and saturated fats increased [ 14 ].…”

“…In our study, the relative energy intake from ultra-processed foods was similar to that found in Brazil (age ≥10 years, 20.4%) [ 8 ], Chile (age ≥ 2 years, 28.6%) [ 9 ], and Malaysia (age between 18 and 59 years, 24%) [ 45 ]. However, it was relatively low compared to that reported in other countries such as France (age between 18 and 86 years, 32%) [ 17 ], Japan (age 30–59 years, 38.2%) [ 46 ], Australia (age ≥ 2 years, 42.0%) [ 47 ], the USA (age ≥ 20 years, 55.5%) [ 15 ], and the UK (age ≥ 1.5 years, 56.8%) [ 7 ].…”

“…Globally, sales of ultra-processed products increased by 43.7% from 2000 to 2013 [ 4 ]. Ultra-processed foods account for almost 50–60% of calories consumed in Canada [ 5 ], the USA [ 6 ], and the UK [ 7 ], and approximately 20–30% in Brazil [ 8 ] and Chile [ 9 ]. Consumption of ultra-processed foods is currently higher in high-income countries, but it has been steadily increasing in middle-income countries [ 10 ].…”

Ultra-Processed Food Intake and Smoking Interact in Relation with Colorectal Adenomas

“…Processed food, a key component of the western diet, is prevalent among various food groups [ 13 ], and has been shown to contribute up to 60% of the daily kcal intake of adults [ 26 ], 40% of children [ 27 ], and 20% of infants [ 28 ]. UPF intake has been studied in association with various health outcomes, including cancer, and specifically, CRC [ 16 ], but evidence regarding its association with pre-malignant colorectal polyps is lacking.…”