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Ultraprocessed food and chronic noncommunicable diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 observational studies

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Summary

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the association between consumption of ultraprocessed food and noncommunicable disease risk, morbidity and mortality. 43 observational studies were included and the meta-analysis demonstrated a link between ultraprocessed food consumption and increased risk of overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity, all-cause mortality, metabolic syndrome, depression in adults, and wheezing in adolescents. Additionally, it was associated with cardiometabolic diseases, frailty, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, and cancer (breast and overall) in adults, metabolic syndrome in adolescents, and dyslipidaemia in children.

Q&As

What is the main purpose of the article?
The main purpose of the article is to investigate the association between consumption of ultraprocessed food and noncommunicable disease risk, morbidity and mortality.

What associations are found between ultraprocessed food consumption and chronic noncommunicable diseases?
Meta-analysis demonstrated consumption of ultraprocessed food was associated with increased risk of overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity, all-cause mortality, metabolic syndrome, depression in adults, wheezing, cardiometabolic diseases, frailty, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia and cancer (breast and overall) in adults, metabolic syndrome in adolescents and dyslipidaemia in children.

What intermediate risk factors are highlighted in adults?
Consumption of ultraprocessed food was associated with some intermediate risk factors in adults.

What associations are found between ultraprocessed food consumption and health outcomes?
Consumption of ultraprocessed food was associated with health outcomes such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, depression, wheezing, cardiometabolic diseases, frailty, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia and cancer (breast and overall).

What are the implications of the findings of this article?
The findings of this article suggest that consumption of ultraprocessed food is associated with increased risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases and other health outcomes. This highlights the need for further research to better understand the implications of ultraprocessed food consumption on health.

AI Comments

👍 This systematic review and meta-analysis provides important information regarding the association between consumption of ultraprocessed food and chronic noncommunicable diseases, offering insights into the health implications of such dietary habits.

👎 The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis are limited by the observational nature of the studies included, and further research is needed to more clearly define the associations between ultraprocessed food consumption and health outcomes.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about ultra-processed food and how it is associated with increased risk of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, depression, and all-cause mortality.

Friend: That's really concerning. What are the implications of this article?

Me: Well, the article shows that consuming ultra-processed food is associated with an increased risk of chronic non-communicable diseases. This means that people should be mindful of their diet and try to limit their consumption of ultra-processed food in order to reduce their risk of developing these diseases. It also suggests that governments and public health organizations should be investing in nutrition education and other public health initiatives to help people make healthier food choices.

Action items

Research the effects of ultraprocessed food on noncommunicable diseases in children and adolescents.
Develop a plan to reduce the consumption of ultraprocessed food in your community.
Educate yourself and others on the health risks associated with ultraprocessed food and how to make healthier food choices.

Technical terms

Ultraprocessed food: Food that has been heavily processed and contains additives, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients.
Noncommunicable diseases: Diseases that are not contagious and are not caused by an infectious agent, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Meta-analysis: A statistical technique used to combine the results of multiple studies to draw conclusions about a particular topic.
Odds ratio: A measure of the odds of an event occurring in one group compared to another.
Hazard ratio: A measure of the risk of an event occurring in one group compared to another.
PMID: PubMed Identifier, a unique number assigned to each article in the PubMed database.
DOI: Digital Object Identifier, a unique number assigned to each article in the digital world.
NOVA: A food classification system developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.