Introduction and Objective: The NOVA classification system categorizes food into 4 groups based on the degree of processing. Group 4 includes ultra-processed foods (UPF). High intake of UPF has been associated with multiple chronic diseases, including obesity. However, it remains unknown whether high consumption of UPF is associated with changes in anthropometrics, body composition, and resting energy expenditure (REE). Methods: We analyzed the UPF consumption of adult patients with obesity who underwent comprehensive obesity energy balance phenotyping and completed a 24-hour diet recall. Diet recalls and total caloric intake were quantified by a registered dietitian using Cronometer (version 4.4). Statistical analyses were performed using JMP version 18.0.2. Continuous variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation, while categorical variables are presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: A total of 107 adults with obesity were included (age 44 ± 12 years; 82% female; BMI 38.6 ± 6 kg/m²). Mean total caloric intake was 1,744 ± 696 kcal/day in women and 2,385 ± 1,213 kcal/day in men, with UPF contributing 58% and 44% of total intake, respectively. In the overall cohort, a higher UPF proportion was associated with greater total fat mass (β = 123.6 g per 1% UPF, p = 0.03) but not with lean mass or BMI. In contrast, higher total caloric intake from UPF was positively associated with fat mass (β = 0.01, p = 0.009), lean mass (β = 0.01, p = 0.007), and BMI (β = 0.002, p = 0.01). UPF intake was not associated with resting energy expenditure. Conclusion: UPF accounted for half of the caloric intake in patients with obesity and high UPF proportion was associated with greater fat mass. Future studies should further evaluate the effect of UPF intake in body composition and adipose tissue distribution. Disclosure A. Acosta: Other - Licensed Patent / Technology; Current; Phenomix Sciences, Gila Therapeutics. Advisory Panel; Current; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Structure Therapeutics. Research Support; Ended; Novo Nordisk. Research Support; Current; Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. J. Villamarin: None. A.N. McRae: None. J.M. Garcia Cordova: None. M. Romanos: None. J.D. Pazmino Zurita: None. M.D. Hurtado Andrade: Research Support; Current; Eli Lilly and Company. Advisory Panel; Ended; Novo Nordisk. Other - I support Novo Nordisk with publications, data generation. I am paid to present these data at meetings; Current; Novo Nordisk. Research Support; Current; Endogenex. Research Support; Ended; Phenomix Sciences. Advisory Panel; Ended; Roche Pharmaceuticals. Consultant; Ended; Verge Genomics. L.E. Sefried: None. T. Quezada: None. J. Stutzman: None. M.M. Schaefer: None. D.D. Hensrud: None. T.W. Fredrick: None. S. Kumar: Consultant; Current; Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Funding NIDDK (R01DK139028), Mayo Clinic
Acosta et al. (Fri,) studied this question.