Dataset Information

Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods Is Inversely Associated with Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet: A Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT: Information on the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in relation to an adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) is limited. Our aim was to assess UPF consumption in a group of Italian adults and to evaluate the relationship with the MD adherence. A total of 670 participants (median age: 30 years) were included in the analysis. The consumption of UPF was assessed through the NOVA Food Frequency Questionnaire (NFFQ). Adherence to the MD was assessed through the Medi-Lite score. The percentage of UPF in the diet was 16.4% corresponding to 299 g of UPF per day. These amounts were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in men than in women and came mainly from ready-to-eat meals or pre-packaged bread, bread alternatives, pizza, frozen potato chips (24.5% of total UPF intake), pre-packaged biscuits and sweets (20.7%), soft drinks (15.8%), and dairy products such as flavored yogurt (12%). As to the MD adherence, a significant inverse association between the Medi-Lite score and the percentage of UPF in the diet (R = -0.35; p < 0.001) was observed. Participants with a low adherence to the MD had a significantly higher contribution of UPF in the diet (22.2%) compared to those with a moderate (16.2%) and high (12.6%) adherence. In terms of individual UPF, the largest difference between low and high MD adherents was observed for pre-packaged biscuits and sweets, soft and energy drinks, sausages and other reconstituted meat products, and pre-packaged bread and bread alternatives. These results suggest that public health strategies are needed to implement more effective actions to promote healthy eating habits in the population.

SUBMITTER: Dinu M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9147239 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods Is Inversely Associated with Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Dinu Monica M Tristan Asensi Marta M Pagliai Giuditta G Lotti Sofia S Martini Daniela D Colombini Barbara B Sofi Francesco F

Nutrients 20220515 10

Information on the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in relation to an adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) is limited. Our aim was to assess UPF consumption in a group of Italian adults and to evaluate the relationship with the MD adherence. A total of 670 participants (median age: 30 years) were included in the analysis. The consumption of UPF was assessed through the NOVA Food Frequency Questionnaire (NFFQ). Adherence to the MD was assessed through the Medi-Lite score. The percen ...[more]

PMID: 35631214

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Project description:Previous studies have examined the relationships between some eating distractions and diet quality in the young population. However, to our knowledge, no study has analyzed the associations between multiple eating distractions (e.g., using a mobile phone, watching television [TV], eating while standing) and diet quality, particularly in terms of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) among adolescents. The objective of the current study was to analyze the relationships of eating distractions with UPF consumption and adherence to the MedDiet in a sample of Spanish adolescents. This cross-sectional study used data from 826 adolescents aged 12-17 years from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities study in Spain. The following eating distractions were assessed via a self-report questionnaire: "(1) eating while talking on the phone/sending short message service [SMS]/emails or using social networks", (2) watching TV while dinner, and (3) eating while standing". The Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED) was utilized to evaluate adherence to the MedDiet. A self-administered food frequency questionnaire, previously validated for the Spanish population, was used to assess UPF consumption. The associations of eating distractions with UPF consumption and MedDiet adherence were analyzed via generalized linear models. The models were adjusted for sex, age, socioeconomic status, body mass index, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep duration. A significant association was found, with a higher eating distraction score corresponding to greater UPF consumption (unstandardized beta coefficient [B] = 71.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] 34.69-107.82; p < 0.001). Furthermore, a higher eating distraction score was associated with a lower KIDMED score (B - 0.29; 95% CI - 0.39 to - 0.18; p < 0.001). Individually, for grams of UPFs consumed, a significant association was observed for eating while using a phone or social network, which was linked to higher UPF consumption (B = 120.70; 95% CI 57.83-183.57; p < 0.001). However, the associations for eating while watching TV (B = 49.60; 95% CI - 9.01 to 108.21; p = 0.098) and eating while standing (B = 63.66; 95% CI - 37.92 to 165.25; p = 0.220) did not reach statistical significance. For KIDMED score, all the eating distractions were associated with a significant decrease, with the largest effect observed for phone or social network use (B = - 0.44; 95% CI - 0.62 to - 0.26). Watching TV (B = - 0.18; 95% CI - 0.35 to - 0.01; p = 0.037) and eating while standing (B = - 0.42; 95% CI - 0.71 to - 0.13; p = 0.004) also showed significant negative associations. Although diet quality is influenced by multiple factors, eating distractions may negatively impact adolescents by increasing UPF consumption and reducing adherence to the MedDiet. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the role of the eating environment in shaping healthy dietary habits.

Project description:Ultra-processed foods are associated with chronic diseases, cardiometabolic factors and obesity. According to the NOVA system, foods are classified into four categories (from 1 = unprocessed to 4 = ultra-processed foods). The purpose of the present study was to assess the consumption of minimally processed foods (MPF) and ultra-processed foods (UPF) in university students and their relationship with obesity, Mediterranean diet adherence and meal patterns. In total, 346 students (269 women) of the University of Peloponnese participated. A food frequency questionnaire was used, and the MedDietScore was calculated. The % energy contribution of MPF and UPF was calculated. The identification of meal patterns was performed via principal component analysis. Both multivariate regression and Spearman's correlations were used to measure the association of UPF/MPF consumption with anthropometric indices (body mass index, BMI and waist circumference, WC), Mediterranean diet adherence and early/late meal patterns. UPF and MPF provided 40.7 ± 13.6% and 44.3 ± 11.9% (mean ± standard deviation) of energy intake, respectively. In multi-adjusted linear regression models UPF consumption (% energy) was positively associated with WC in men but it was not related to BMI (total sample, men, women). UPF consumption was negatively related to the MedDietScore (Spearman rho = -0.214, p < 0.001) and an "early eating" pattern (Spearman rho = -0.120, p = 0.029) and positively associated with a "late eating" meal pattern (Spearman rho = 0.190, p = 0.001). MPF consumption was positively associated with the MedDietScore (Spearman rho = 0.309, p < 0.001) and an "early eating" pattern (Spearman rho = 0.240, p < 0.001). In conclusion, UPF consumption was positively related to WC in male university students. Nutritional and sociodemographic correlates of UPF consumption, such as low Mediterranean diet adherence and having a "late eating" pattern serve as a basis to better understand the UPF consumption-central obesity relation in young adults and should be considered in nutrition education programs for young adults.

Project description:Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has been the focus of major attention due to their potential effects on human health. The aim of this study was to investigate the intake of UPFs in a sample of southern Italian individuals and assess its relationship with nutrient profile and dietary quality parameters. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1936 individuals older than 18 years randomly selected from the general population. A total of 110 food times have been categorized based on the level of processing using the NOVA classification. The average daily energy intake of the sample was 2091.1 kcal, 38.7% of which were from the NOVA group of unprocessed/minimally processed foods, 5.7% from processed culinary ingredients, 38.3% from processed foods, and 17.9% from the UPFs group. UPFs were more consumed among young, unmarried individuals, with high cultural level, smokers, and often eating out of home. The mean energy share of UPFs varied from 6.3% of total daily energy intake for individuals in the lowest quintile of UPF consumption to 34.2% for those in the upper quintile. Within the UPF group, the highest energy contribution was provided by fast foods and sweets. Compared to the lowest quintile of UPF consumption, individuals in the highest quintile consumed, on average, additional 300 kcals per day and less fiber. Some plant-derived vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin C showed an inverse trend toward increasing shares of UPF consumption, while sodium intake increased. A significant higher intake of UPFs in individuals meeting the European and Italian dietary recommendations for carbohydrates, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and vitamin E was found, while UPFs were less consumed among those meeting the recommendations for total fats, fiber, sodium, potassium, and vitamin C. Finally, individuals displaying a "healthier" dietary profile, such as higher adherence to either the Mediterranean diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, the Alternate Diet Quality Index, and the Diet Quality Index-International, consumed less UPFs and more unprocessed/minimally processed foods, with minor variation in the other NOVA food categories. In conclusion, consumption of UPF in southern Italy is in line with those reported in some other Mediterranean countries, although it negatively impacted the nutrient profile. It is important to monitor the consumption of UPFs before their availability and popularity put the grounds on younger generations' dietary habits.

Dataset Information

Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods Is Inversely Associated with Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Publications

Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods Is Inversely Associated with Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet: A Cross-Sectional Study.

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