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Consumption of industrial processed foods and risk of premenopausal breast cancer among Latin American women: the PRECAMA study.
Romieu, I, Khandpur, N, Katsikari, A, Biessy, C, Torres-Mejía, G, Ángeles-Llerenas, A, Alvarado-Cabrero, I, Sánchez, GI, Maldonado, ME, Porras, C, et al
BMJ nutrition, prevention & health. 2022;5(1):1-9
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Ultra-processed food intake has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in Western populations. This is the first study on ultra-processed food and breast cancer in young women from Latin America. In Latin America around 27% of breast cancers occur between 20 and 45 years and this is increasing. This population is currently undergoing rapid lifestyle and nutritional changes switching from a varied traditional diet (including corn tortillas, corn flour cakes, beans and other legumes, soup, homemade stew, vegetable, whole fruit) towards a more homogenous diet rich in industrial ultra-processed foods. In this case control study, the association of ultra-processed food intake to breast cancer risk was evaluated. 525 cases were included (women aged 20–45 years) and 525 matched population-based controls from Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico. The degree of processing of foods was classified according to the NOVA classification. The results show an adverse effect of ultra-processed food intake on the risk of breast cancer in young Latin American women. Further studies are needed to confirm the results. Given the already proven chronic adverse health effects of ultra-processed foods, a decrease in these types of foods should be encouraged.
Abstract
Ultra-processed food intake has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in Western populations. No data are available in the Latin American population although the consumption of ultra-processed foods is increasing rapidly in this region. We evaluated the association of ultra-processed food intake to breast cancer risk in a case-control study including 525 cases (women aged 20-45 years) and 525 matched population-based controls from Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico. The degree of processing of foods was classified according to the NOVA classification. Overall, the major contributors to ultra-processed food intake were ready-to-eat/heat foods (18.2%), cakes and desserts (16.7%), carbonated and industrial fruit juice beverages (16.7%), breakfast cereals (12.9%), sausages and reconstituted meat products (12.1%), industrial bread (6.1%), dairy products and derivatives (7.6%) and package savoury snacks (6.1%). Ultra-processed food intake was positively associated with the risk of breast cancer in adjusted models (OR T3-T1=1.93; 95% CI=1.11 to 3.35). Specifically, a higher risk was observed with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer (ORT3-T1=2.44, (95% CI=1.01 to 5.90, P-trend=0.049), while no significant association was observed with oestrogen receptor negative breast cancer (ORT3-T1=1.87, 95% CI=0.43 to 8.13, P-trend=0.36). Our findings suggest that the consumption of ultra-processed foods might increase the risk of breast cancer in young women in Latin America. Further studies should confirm these findings and disentangle specific mechanisms relating ultra-processed food intake and carcinogenic processes in the breast.
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Health behavior patterns of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among Brazilian adolescents in a nationally representative school-based study.
Rocha, LL, Pessoa, MC, Gratão, LHA, Carmo, ASD, Cunha, CF, Oliveira, TRPR, Mendes, LL
PloS one. 2021;16(1):e0245203
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Sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) are ultra-processed foods containing several man-made chemicals, which heavily feature in the diets of adolescents in many developing countries. This cross-sectional study of 74,589 adolescents aimed to determine health behaviour patterns that affect SSB consumption to focus education and policy efforts to reduce consumption. The results showed that most adolescents who consumed SSB’s had higher consumption of processed foods, more screen time, more days of alcoholic beverage consumption, were more likely to purchase food from the school canteen, and a smoking habit. Those who had a higher consumption of water, minimally processed foods and frequent physical activity were less likely to consume SSB’s. It was concluded that healthy habits can aid implementation of other beneficial health behaviours. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand the importance of adopting healthy habits to decrease SSB and ultra-processed food consumption.
Abstract
Studies on sugar-sweetened beverage consumption patterns can help in the individual and population level management of chronic non-communicable diseases and other conditions. This study aimed to identify the association between health behavior patterns and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among Brazilian adolescents from a nationally representative school-based study. A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 71,553 adolescents aged 12-17 years who attended public and private schools in Brazilian cities, from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents. Principal component analysis was performed to identify health behavior patterns, and ordered logistic regression was performed to identify the association between health behavior patterns and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (mL/day) was used as the dependent variable. The analyses were performed using Stata software version 14.0 with a significance level of 0.05. Patterns 2 (alcoholic beverage and smoking habit) and 3 (ultra-processed food and screen time) of health behaviors and regularly purchasing snacks in the school cafeteria increased the odds of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, while pattern 1 (water, unprocessed and minimally processed food and physical activity) decreased these odds. The adoption of healthy habits can indirectly stimulate the adoption of other habits beneficial to health. These results indicate the importance of adopting a set of regulatory measures to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.
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The Role of Diet Quality in Mediating the Association between Ultra-Processed Food Intake, Obesity and Health-Related Outcomes: A Review of Prospective Cohort Studies.
Dicken, SJ, Batterham, RL
Nutrients. 2021;14(1)
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Diet has long been a cornerstone of weight management, with dietary policies being a core feature of government and health organisation strategies to reduce obesity worldwide. Indeed, poor diets are a leading cause of preventable obesity-related death and non-communicable diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to provide novel insights into the relative impact of nutrient content and dietary patterns vs. ultra-processing on obesity and adverse health-related outcomes. This study is a review of prospective cohort studies. Findings show that adjustment for fat, sugar and sodium intake, or adjustment for adherence to a range of healthy or unhealthy dietary patterns has a minimal impact on the adverse associations between UPF intake and a diverse range of health-related outcomes. Authors conclude that their findings raise important questions regarding current policy and future research needs, suggesting that the nature and extent of processing is an important dietary dimension.
Abstract
Prospective cohort studies show that higher intakes of ultra-processed food (UPF) increase the risk of obesity and obesity-related outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. Whether ultra-processing itself is detrimental, or whether UPFs just have a lower nutritional quality, is debated. Higher UPF intakes are inversely associated with fruit, vegetables, legumes and seafood consumption. Therefore, the association between UPFs and poor health could simply be from excess nutrient intake or from a less healthful dietary pattern. If so, adjustment for dietary quality or pattern should explain or greatly reduce the size of the significant associations between UPFs and health-related outcomes. Here, we provide an overview of the literature and by using a novel approach, review the relative impact of adjusting for diet quality/patterns on the reported associations between UPF intake and health-related outcomes in prospective cohort studies. We find that the majority of the associations between UPFs, obesity and health-related outcomes remain significant and unchanged in magnitude after adjustment for diet quality or pattern. Our findings suggest that the adverse consequences of UPFs are independent of dietary quality or pattern, questioning the utility of reformulation to mitigate against the obesity pandemic and wider negative health outcomes of UPFs.
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Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Adult Diabetes Risk: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis.
Moradi, S, Hojjati Kermani, MA, Bagheri, R, Mohammadi, H, Jayedi, A, Lane, MM, Asbaghi, O, Mehrabani, S, Suzuki, K
Nutrients. 2021;13(12)
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The growing incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases such as type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the major healthcare concern worldwide. The aim of this study was to build on previous work by synthesizing the findings of observational studies investigating the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and the risk of T2DM. This study is a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of five studies. Of the five included studies, four were prospective cohort study designs and the other was cross-sectional. Results demonstrate that higher UPF intake was associated with an increased risk of T2DM. Additionally, increasing the intake of processed foods by 10% leads to a 15% increase in the risk of T2DM. A linear positive association was found between UPF intake and the risk of T2DM. Authors conclude by pointing out that to be able to estimate better the actual burden of UPF intakes, new tools should be adapted or progressed to evaluate all UPF consumption dimensions, namely food class, UPF foods specific components, their effects on health and specific processes or additives.
Abstract
(1) Background: Recent individual studies have demonstrated that consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) may be related to type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to synthesize the results from these individual studies by conducting an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies evaluating the association between UPF consumption and the risk of T2DM. (2) Methods: A systematic search was conducted using ISI Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus electronic databases from inception up to August 2021. Data were extracted from five studies (one cross-sectional study and four cohort studies, totaling 230,526 adults from four different countries). Risk ratios (RR) of pooled results were estimated using a random-effects model. (3) Results: Our results revealed that higher UPF consumption was significantly associated with an increased risk of T2DM (RR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.36, 2.22; I2 = 68.9%; p < 0.001; n = 5). Linear dose-response analysis indicated that each 10% increase in UPF consumption (kcal/d) was associated with a 15% higher risk of T2DM (RR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.26; I2 = 86.0%; p < 0.001; n = 5) among adults. Non-linear dose-response analysis demonstrated a positive linear association between UPF consumption and T2DM (pnonlinearity = 0.13, pdose-response < 0.001; n = 5) among adults. (4) Conclusions: A higher intake of UPF was significantly associated with an increased risk of T2DM. However, underlying mechanisms remain unknown and future experimental studies are warranted.
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Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Class II and III Obesity: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Correlation between Glycemic Parameters and Body Mass Index.
Silveira, EA, de Souza Rosa, LP, de Carvalho Santos, ASEA, de Souza Cardoso, CK, Noll, M
International journal of environmental research and public health. 2020;17(11)
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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity are independently known to cause serious health complications, with risks of cardiovascular diseases, higher mortality, low quality of life, and increased public health spending. However, when these diseases occur concurrently, their negative effects on health, health systems, and mortality are even greater. The main aim this study was to investigate the prevalence of T2DM and its associated factors, with an emphasis on biochemical parameters and eating habits, in class II and III obese individuals. The study included 150 class II and III obese individuals from the primary healthcare system of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Results indicate a high prevalence of T2DM (40%) in the studied population, with the associated risks being lower educational level, non-consumption of whole grains, and high insulin resistance. Furthermore, there was no correlation between BMI and glycaemic parameters, that is, an increased BMI did not directly affect a decline in the metabolic condition of T2DM individuals. Authors conclude by emphasising the need to perform further research on T2DM in class II and III obese population.
Abstract
Despite the worldwide growth of class II and III obesity, the factors associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in these obese individuals are not widely understood. Moreover, no study has investigated these associations in South America. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of T2DM and its associated factors, with an emphasis on biochemical parameters and eating habits, in class II and III obese individuals. We also aimed to analyze the correlation between glycemic parameters and body mass index (BMI). Baseline data from a randomized clinical trial (DieTBra Trial) of 150 class II and III obese individuals (BMI > 35 kg/m2) was used. An accelerometer, Food Frequency Questionnaire, and bioimpedance analysis were used to assess physical activity levels, eating habits, and body composition, respectively. Blood was collected after 12 h of fasting. Hierarchical multivariate Poisson regression was performed, and prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated. Correlations between glycemic parameters (fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and insulin) and BMI were also analyzed. The prevalence of T2DM was 40.0% (95% CI, 32.1-48.3), high fasting blood glucose level was 19.33% (95% CI, 13.3-26.6), and high glycosylated hemoglobin was 32.67% (95% CI, 25.2-40.8). Age ≥ 50 years (PR = 3.17, 95% CI, 1.26-7.98) was significantly associated with T2DM; there was a positive linear trend between age and T2DM (p = 0.011). Multivariate analysis showed an association with educational level (PR = 1.49, 1.07-2.09, p = 0.018), nonconsumption of whole grains daily (PR = 1.67, 1.00-2.80, p = 0.049), and high HOMA-IR (PR = 1.54, 1.08-2.18, p = 0.016). We found a high prevalence of T2DM and no significant correlations between BMI and glycemic parameters.
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[Do children and adolescents who consume ultra-processed foods have a worse lipid profile? A systematic review].
Beserra, JB, Soares, NIDS, Marreiros, CS, Carvalho, CMRG, Martins, MDCCE, Freitas, BJESA, Santos, MMD, Frota, KMG
Ciencia & saude coletiva. 2020;25(12):4979-4989
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The increased addition of ultra-processed ingredients to the food of children and adolescents is related to dislipidemia. This is where there are abnormal levels of fats in the blood. This study is a systemic review on the link between consumption of ultra-processed foods and the blood lipid profiles of children and adolescents. 14 studies were included. 9 showed that consuming ultra-processed food is related to increased LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides and a reduction in HDL cholesterol. 3 studies found no relationship and 2 studies demonstrated an improved lipid profile with an increased intake of ready-to-eat cereals. Overall, where there was a high consumption of ultra-processed foods, there was a harmful effect on the blood lipid profiles among children and adolescents. Further studies are needed and interventions such as nutritional education must be considered to reducing the intake of these ultra-processed foods.
Abstract
The increase in the input of ultra-processed ingredients in the food of children and adolescents is related to the development of noncommunicable diseases such as dyslipidemia. The scope of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the relationship of consumption of ultra-processed foods in the lipid profile of children and adolescents. A search in the PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane and LILACS databases was carried out to locate cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, with or without intervention, in apparently healthy children and/or adolescents, who had the intake of ultra-processed food as an exposure variable and the lipid profile as an outcome. After screening, 14 studies were included, of which nine demonstrated that ultra-processed food consumption was related to increased LDL-c, total cholesterol, triglycerides and a reduction in HDL-c. Three studies found no relationship and two demonstrated that the increased intake of ready-to-eat cereals was related to the decrease in total cholesterol and LDL-c. There was a high consumption of ultra-processed foods and positive relation with blood lipids among children and adolescents, which calls attention to interventions, such as nutritional education, with a view to reducing the intake of these foods. O aumento da participação de alimentos ultraprocessados na alimentação de crianças e adolescentes está relacionado ao desenvolvimento de agravos não transmissíveis, como dislipidemia. Objetivou-se realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre a relação do consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados e o perfil lipídico de crianças e adolescentes. Realizou-se uma busca nas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane e LILACS por estudos com desenhos transversais e longitudinais, com ou sem intervenção; em crianças e/ou adolescentes aparentemente saudáveis, que tivessem a ingestão de alimento ultraprocessado como variável de exposição e o perfil lipídico como desfecho. Após triagem, 14 estudos foram incluídos, destes, nove demonstraram que o consumo de ultraprocessados estava relacionado com o aumento do LDL-c, colesterol total, triglicerídeos e diminuição do HDL-c. Três estudos não encontraram nenhuma relação e dois demonstraram que a maior ingestão de cereais prontos estava relacionada com a diminuição de colesterol total e LDL-c. Observou-se elevado consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados e relação positiva com lipídios sanguíneos em crianças e adolescentes o que chama atenção para a realização de intervenções, como educação nutricional, com vistas a reduzir a ingestão desses alimentos.
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Association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and serum C-reactive protein levels: cross-sectional results from the ELSA-Brasil study.
Lopes, AEDSC, Araújo, LF, Levy, RB, Barreto, SM, Giatti, L
Sao Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina. 2019;137(2):169-176
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Low grade chronic inflammation has been linked to many diseases. It can be measured using bio-markers such as C-reactive protein. Studies have shown that there may be a direct association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and the levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with CRP levels, regardless of total energy intake, among men and women. In addition, its aim was to determine whether this association is independent from body mass index (BMI). It was a cross-sectional analysis of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health. This is a multi-centre cohort and 15105 adults (aged 35-74) participated. The findings suggest that the positive association of ultra-processed food consumption with CRP levels among women seems to be mediated by the presence of adiposity. The study concludes that cutting back on ultra-processed foods can decrease chronic low-grade inflammation, even if through reducing obesity. This reinforces the importance of public policies aimed towards restricting the availability of ultra-processed foods.
Abstract
BACKGROUND There may be a direct association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, under the assumption that the high glycemic index of these food products could stimulate the entire chronic inflammation cascade, along with an indirect association mediated by obesity. The types of food consumed, including ultra-processed products, strongly influence obesity, and are also associated with higher serum CRP levels. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to investigate whether the caloric contribution of ultra-processed foods to diet is associated with CRP levels, independent of body mass index (BMI). DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional analysis on the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) baseline cohort (2008-2010). METHODS Dietary information, obtained through a food frequency questionnaire, was used to estimate the percentage of energy contribution from ultra-processed food to individuals' total caloric intake. CRP levels were the response variable. Sex-specific associations were estimated using generalized linear models with gamma distribution and log-link function. RESULTS Ultra-processed food accounted for 20% of total energy intake. Among men, after adjustments for sociodemographic characteristics, there was no association between ultra-processed food intake and CRP levels. Among women, after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, smoking and physical activity, the highest tercile of ultra-processed food intake was associated with mean CRP levels that were 14% higher (95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.24) than those of the lowest tercile. However, after considering BMI, this association lost statistical significance. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the positive association of ultra-processed food consumption with CRP levels among women seems to be mediated by the presence of adiposity.