Key result
High ultra-processed food intake linked to ~22% higher risk of incident obesity.
Why the study?
Does higher ultra-processed food consumption increase the risk of incident obesity in middle-aged adults?
Population
10,171 middle-aged adults without obesity at baseline, mean age 54 years, 17% Black adults, 53% female, from…
Comparison
Higher ultra-processed food consumption vs Lower ultra-processed food consumption
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
median 9 years
Authors
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Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, particularly sugar-sweetened beverages and reconstituted meat, is associated with a significantly increased risk of incident obesity in middle-aged adults.
Cohort (n=10,171)
Yes
Does higher ultra-processed food consumption increase the risk of incident obesity in middle-aged adults?
Hazard Ratio: 1.22 (95% CI 1.06–1.4)
p-value: p=0.01
Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, particularly sugar-sweetened beverages and reconstituted meat, is associated with a significantly increased risk of incident obesity in middle-aged adults.
Guo et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Risk of obesity (n=10,171). Ultra-processed food consumption vs. Lowest quartile of ultra-processed food consumption was evaluated on Incident obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.06-1.40, p=0.01). Highest quartile of ultra-processed food consumption was associated with a 22% higher risk of incident obesity compared to the lowest quartile (HR 1.22; 95% CI 1.06-1.40; p-trend=0.01).
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