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. 2022 Nov;25(11):3225-3234.
doi: 10.1017/S1368980022001586. Epub 2022 Jul 28.

Cross-sectional examination of ultra-processed food consumption and adverse mental health symptoms

Eric M Hecht  1   2   3 , Anna Rabil  1 , Euridice Martinez Steele  4 , Gary A Abrams  5 , Deanna Ware  3   6 , David C Landy  7 , Charles H Hennekens  1   2
Affiliations

Cross-sectional examination of ultra-processed food consumption and adverse mental health symptoms

Eric M Hecht et al. Public Health Nutr. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To explore whether individuals who consume higher amounts of ultra-processed food (UPF) have more adverse mental health symptoms.

Design: Using a cross-sectional design, we measured the consumption of UPF as a percentage of total energy intake in kilo-calories using the NOVA food classification system. We explored whether individuals who consume higher amounts of UPF were more likely to report mild depression, more mentally unhealthy days and more anxious days per month using multivariable analyses adjusting for potential confounding variables.

Setting: Representative sample from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 and 2012.

Participants: 10 359 adults aged 18+ without a history of cocaine, methamphetamine or heroin use.

Results: After adjusting for covariates, individuals with the highest level of UPF consumption were significantly more likely to report at least mild depression (OR: 1·81; 95 % CI1·09, 3·02), more mentally unhealthy (risk ratio (RR): 1·22; 95 % CI 1·18, 1·25) and more anxious days per month (RR: 1·19; 95 % CI 1·16, 1·23). They were also significantly less likely to report zero mentally unhealthy (OR: 0·60; 95 % CI 0·41, 0·88) or anxious days (OR: 0·65; 95 % CI 0·47, 0·90).

Conclusions: Individuals reporting higher intakes of UPF were significantly more likely to report mild depression, more mentally unhealthy and more anxious days and less likely to report zero mentally unhealthy or anxious days. These data add important information to a growing body of evidence concerning the potential adverse effects of UPF consumption on mental health.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Mental health; National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; Ultra-processed foods.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Adjusted percentage likelihood (increase or decrease) of mild depression (OR), number of mentally unhealthy days (RR) and number of anxious days (RR) by category of ultra-processed food consumption with <20 % as the referent level
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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