Lee Seung Jae, Lee Kyung Won
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Yongin University, Yongin 17092, Republic of Korea.
Department of Home Economics Education, Korea National University of Education, Cheongju 28173, Republic of Korea.
Nutrients. 2025 Jun 18;17(12):2027. doi: 10.3390/nu17122027.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and obesity in Korean adults.
Data from the 2019 to 2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Dietary intake and UPF consumption were assessed using the NOVA food classification based on 24 h recall data from 9662 participants (aged 19-64 years). The participants were divided into three groups based on the tertile of UPF intake. Obesity was defined as a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after controlling for potential confounders.
Of the participants, 50.2% were men and 49.8% were women. Men consumed more UPFs daily (401.3 g) than women (260.1 g; < 0.0001). Among the various categories of ultra-processed foods, 'soft drinks, fruit and vegetable drinks' were the most frequently consumed by both men and women, with men showing a notably higher intake than women. Compared to the lowest quartile of UPF intake, the highest tertile was significantly associated with obesity in men (AOR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.05-1.55; for trend = 0.0003).
This study suggests that a high intake of UPFs is associated with increased odds of obesity in men. Further research is needed to elucidate the specific negative health effects of UPFs in different populations, and targeted efforts should promote healthy diets for both men and women.
背景/目的：本研究旨在探讨韩国成年人超加工食品（UPF）消费与肥胖之间的关联。
分析了2019年至2021年韩国国家健康与营养检查调查的数据。根据9662名参与者（年龄在19 - 64岁之间）的24小时回忆数据，使用NOVA食物分类法评估饮食摄入量和UPF消费量。参与者根据UPF摄入量的三分位数分为三组。肥胖定义为体重指数≥25kg/m²。在控制潜在混杂因素后，使用多变量逻辑回归来估计调整后的优势比（AOR）及其95%置信区间（CI）。
参与者中，50.2%为男性，49.8%为女性。男性每日摄入的UPF更多（401.3克），高于女性（260.1克；P < 0.0001）。在各类超加工食品中，“软饮料、果蔬饮料”是男性和女性最常消费的，男性的摄入量明显高于女性。与UPF摄入量最低的四分位数相比，最高三分位数与男性肥胖显著相关（AOR：1.28；95%CI：1.05 - 1.55；趋势检验P = 0.0003）。
本研究表明，高摄入量的UPF与男性肥胖几率增加有关。需要进一步研究以阐明UPF在不同人群中的具体负面健康影响，并有针对性地努力促进男性和女性的健康饮食。
