Department of Nutrition, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
Front Public Health. 2024 Apr 11;12:1351510. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1351510. eCollection 2024.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have been associated with a higher intake of added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats; however, the relationship between UPFs and quality of life (QoL) is not well understood.
The present cross-sectional study included 193 Iranian women aged 18-48 years with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 kg/m. UPFs were identified using the NOVA classification. QoL was evaluated using the SF-36 questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and body composition were assessed using an appropriate method.
The mean BMI and fat-free mass (FFM) of the subjects were 30.90 kg/m and 46.69 kg, respectively. At first, a significant difference was observed in the height of women across tertiles of UPF consumption. The mean score of the total QoL scale was 66.90. Women who were in the tertile 3 of UPFs intake had 23.59 units lower the scale of limitation in physical capabilities and activity (score of role-physical) ( = -23.59, 95% CI: -37.77-9.40, = 0.001). Among those with the highest adherence to UPF intake, there was an 8.76 unit reduction in addressing feelings of energy and fatigue (vitality domain) in model 2 ( = -8.76, 95% CI: -16.42-1.11, = 0.02). Finally, a reduction of 15.78 units was observed in the mental health scale, specifically in the mental states of anxiety and depression, among participants in the third tertile of UPF intake ( = -15.78, 95% CI: -24.11-7.45, < 0.001).
Increased UPF consumption was associated with lower QoL in Iranian women. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and develop effective strategies to promote healthy food choices.
超加工食品（UPFs）与添加糖、钠和不健康脂肪的摄入量较高有关；然而，UPFs 与生活质量（QoL）之间的关系尚不清楚。
本横断面研究纳入了 193 名年龄在 18-48 岁、BMI≥25kg/m 的伊朗女性。使用 NOVA 分类法识别 UPFs。使用 SF-36 问卷评估 QoL。使用适当的方法评估人体测量和身体成分。
受试者的平均 BMI 和去脂体重（FFM）分别为 30.90kg/m 和 46.69kg。首先，在 UPF 摄入量的三分位组中，女性的身高存在显著差异。总 QoL 量表的平均得分为 66.90。在 UPF 摄入量的 tertile3 的女性中，在身体活动能力和活动受限方面的量表得分低 23.59 分（角色身体）（= -23.59，95%CI：-37.77-9.40，=0.001）。在对 UPF 摄入量最高的人群中，在模型 2 中，应对精力和疲劳感（活力领域）的评分降低了 8.76 分（= -8.76，95%CI：-16.42-1.11，=0.02）。最后，在 UPF 摄入量第三 tertile 的参与者中，在心理健康量表中观察到 15.78 个单位的降低，特别是在焦虑和抑郁的心理状态方面（= -15.78，95%CI：-24.11-7.45，<0.001）。
UPF 摄入量增加与伊朗女性的 QoL 降低有关。需要进一步的研究来证实这些发现，并制定有效的策略来促进健康的食物选择。
