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Ultra-processed food consumption and risk of chronic respiratory diseases mortality among adults: evidence from a prospective cohort study.

About this Publication
Title
Ultra-processed food consumption and risk of chronic respiratory diseases mortality among adults: evidence from a prospective cohort study.
Pubmed ID
38413485 (View this publication on the PubMed website)
Digital Object Identifier
Publication
Eur J Nutr. 2024 Feb 28
Authors
Mekonnen TC, Melaku YA, Shi Z, Gill TK
Affiliations
  • Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Level 7, SAHMRI North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia. tefera.mekonnen@adelaide.edu.au.
  • Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Level 7, SAHMRI North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
  • Human Nutrition Department, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the relationships between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and risk of mortality due to chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) overall, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.

METHODS: A total of 96,607 participants aged 55 years and over were included from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) cancer trial. Dietary intake was measured using food frequency questionnaire. Cox regression was fitted to estimate the risk of all-cause mortality and mortality due to CRDs overall, COPD and lung cancer associated with UPF intake. Competing risk regression was used to account for deaths from other causes and censoring.

RESULTS: During the follow-up of 1,379,655.5 person-years (median 16.8 years), 28,700 all-cause, 4092 CRDs, 2015 lung cancer and 1,536 COPD mortality occurred. A higher intake of UPF increased the risk of mortality from CRDs overall by 10% (HR 1.10; 95% CI 1.01, 1.22) and COPD by 26% (HR 1.26; 95% CI 1.06, 1.49) but not associated with lung cancer mortality risk (HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.84, 1.12). However, the risk of lung cancer increased by 16% (HR 1.16; 95% CI 1.01, 1.34) in the highest UPF intake after multiple imputation. Dose-response relationships existed for CRDs and COPD mortality but not lung cancer.

CONCLUSION: UPF consumption was associated with an increased risk of CRD mortality. The association between UPF consumption and lung cancer mortality is inconclusive and only significant when multiple imputation was applied.

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