Higher socioeconomic status is associated with higher ultra-processed food intake: a cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

Objective: To explore the differences in ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption across different socioeconomic status (SES) levels.

Methods: Data on UPF consumption (grams/day) were derived from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The analysis controlled for age, marital status, race, and sex. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) model was applied to examine the nonlinear response curve.

Results: UPF consumption increased with higher poverty income ratio (PIR), the ratio of household income to the established poverty line. Compared to the low PIR group, the medium group showed a non-significant increase (β = 34.23[95%CI: -28.81, 97.28], p = 0.287), while the high group exhibited a significant increase (β = 115.15[95%CI: 43.53, 186.76], p = 0.002). A linear positive correlation was observed in RCS analysis (p-nonlinear = 0.166, p-overall < 0.001).

Conclusions: The study highlights that higher SES is associated with greater consumption of UPF in the US. The findings suggest that policy interventions should take SES into consideration.

Keywords: Socioeconomic status; dietary intake; ultra-processed food.