Nutrients, Vol. 18, Pages 365: Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods and Sustainable Lifestyles: A Multicenter Study
Nutrients doi: 10.3390/nu18020365
Authors:
Eliana Romina Meza-Miranda
Solange Parra-Soto
Leslie Landaeta-Díaz
Israel Rios-Castillo
Patricio Pérez-Armijo
Tannia Valeria Carpio-Arias
Macarena Jara Nercasseau
Georgina Gómez
Brian M. Cavagnari
Jacqueline Araneda-Flores
Karla Cordón-Arrivilaga
Catalina Ramirez-Contreras
Carla Villagran-Cerro
Ana Gabriela Murillo
Gladys Morales
Melissa Miranda-Durán
Ana María Aguilar
Alfonsina Ortiz
Edna J. Nava-González
Jhon Jairo Bejarano-Roncancio
Beatriz Núñez-Martínez
João P. M. Lima
Jorge de Assis Costa
Jairo Torres
Saby Mauricio
Saby Camacho
Gloria Maricela Morales
Samuel Durán-Agüero
Background: Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has increased significantly in Latin America and Spain, impacting both health and environmental sustainability. To our knowledge, this is the first multicenter study to examine the association between UPF consumption and sustainable lifestyle behaviors in Latin America and Spain. Objective: To evaluate the association between UPF consumption and sustainable lifestyle behaviors in Latin America and Spain. Methods: This was an observational, analytical, multicenter, cross-sectional study. A validated, self-administered online questionnaire was distributed in 14 countries between March 2023 and January 2024. The survey collected sociodemographic data, UPF intake (classified using the NOVA system), body mass index and sustainable lifestyle behaviors (food, transport, environment). Multivariate linear regression models were applied to assess associations, adjusting for age, sex, smoking, physical activity and BMI. Results: Among 6009 adults (mean age: 34.98 ± 12.55; 79.5% women), those with the highest consumption of UPF (fast food, beverages and juices, salty snacks and sweet snacks) were significantly more likely to be in the least sustainable quartile compared to those who did not consume these food products ((OR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.79–3.54), (OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.50–2.22), (OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.32–1.73) and (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.20–1.67), respectively, with p values < 0.001). Conclusions: High consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is inversely associated with sustainable lifestyles. These findings position UPF consumption not only as a health problem but also as a key indicator of unsustainable lifestyles.
Background: Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has increased significantly in Latin America and Spain, impacting both health and environmental sustainability. To our knowledge, this is the first multicenter study to examine the association between UPF consumption and sustainable lifestyle behaviors in Latin America and Spain. Objective: To evaluate the association between UPF consumption and sustainable lifestyle behaviors in Latin America and Spain. Methods: This was an observational, analytical, multicenter, cross-sectional study. A validated, self-administered online questionnaire was distributed in 14 countries between March 2023 and January 2024. The survey collected sociodemographic data, UPF intake (classified using the NOVA system), body mass index and sustainable lifestyle behaviors (food, transport, environment). Multivariate linear regression models were applied to assess associations, adjusting for age, sex, smoking, physical activity and BMI. Results: Among 6009 adults (mean age: 34.98 ± 12.55; 79.5% women), those with the highest consumption of UPF (fast food, beverages and juices, salty snacks and sweet snacks) were significantly more likely to be in the least sustainable quartile compared to those who did not consume these food products ((OR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.79–3.54), (OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.50–2.22), (OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.32–1.73) and (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.20–1.67), respectively, with p values < 0.001). Conclusions: High consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is inversely associated with sustainable lifestyles. These findings position UPF consumption not only as a health problem but also as a key indicator of unsustainable lifestyles. Read More