Mixed
Higher household availability of ultra-processed food products is positively and independently associated with higher average BMI and increased prevalence of obesity across all age groups.
Focus on reducing the availability of ultra-processed foods in your home. These are industrial formulations with little whole food (e.g., soft drinks, packaged snacks, instant noodles). The study shows that higher availability of these items is linked to higher obesity rates, independent of other factors. Simple processed foods (like canned vegetables or cheese) do not show the same association. Public health policy should target the production and consumption of these ultra-processed items.
Adjusted linear regression coefficients indicated that household availability of ultra-processed products was positively associated with both the average BMI and the prevalence of excess weight and obesity, whereas processed products were not associated with these outcomes.
Why this rating
Large sample size (55,970 households) and national representativeness, but the cross-sectional design prevents causal inference and relies on household purchase data rather than individual intake.
Source
Ultra-Processed Food Products and Obesity in Brazilian Households (2008–2009)
Daniela Silva Canella et al. · PLoS ONE · 2014
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0092752
Related findings · Mixed
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