Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: 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.
Source: 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
Institutions: Universidad Nacional de Asunción, University of Bío-Bío, University of the Americas, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Universidad Isabel I, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Chimborazo, San Sebastián University, Universidad de Costa Rica, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Universidad de La Frontera, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Universidad Católica del Uruguay, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Universidad del Norte, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Universidad Latinoamericana
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
Funder: Universidad del Bío-Bío
OpenAlex ID: W7125519576