Ultra-processed food consumption is linked to an increased risk of chronic respiratory diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Mekonnen TC, Shi Z, Gebremichael B, Melaku YA, Gill TK
Clinical nutrition ESPEN · 2 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Clinical events such as disease or death
- Intake measured by
- Not stated
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- Government
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- Grants
- National Health and Medical Research Council (2009776)
Based on 1 listed funder(s).
Publication
- Published
- 2025-06-12 · Clin Nutr ESPEN · vol. 68 · pp. 647–659
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Cited
- 4 citations · more than 73% of similar papers · 1.1× the field average
- References
- 75 works
- Access
- Open access (hybrid journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Keywords
- Medicine, Meta-analysis, Prospective cohort study, Cohort study, Intensive care medicine, Cohort, Environmental health, Respiratory system, Internal medicine
- MeSH
- humans, respiratory tract diseases, chronic disease, diet, risk factors, prospective studies, adult, middle aged, female, male, fast foods, food, processed
5 authors
From AU, QA
- Tefera Chane MekonnenSouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute; The University of Adelaide
- Zumin ShiQatar University
- Bereket GebremichaelThe University of Adelaide
- Yohannes Adama MelakuFlinders University; Flinders Medical Centre; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
- Tiffany K GillSouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
Abstract
Background
Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are a leading cause of global mortality, with dietary factors, including ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, contributing to their burden. The relationship between UPF intake and CRD risk in adults remains unclear.
Objectives
This study evaluates epidemiological evidence linking UPF exposure to overall CRD risk and cause-specific respiratory conditions.
Methods
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, covering studies from 2009 to January 2024. Cohort studies examining UPF exposure and CRD risk were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the National Institute of Health tool, and NutriGrade scoring evaluated the quality of meta-evidence. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis.
Results
Six cohort studies (k = 18) involving 948,428 participants and 11,341 CRD events were analyzed. Higher UPF exposure was associated with an increased CRD risk but not lung cancer. Each 10 % increase in UPF intake corresponded to a 19 % higher CRD risk (relative risk [RR] = 1.19; 95 % confidence interval [CI]:1.004-1.40; NutriGrade = moderate) but showed no significant association with lung cancer (RR = 1.09; 95 % CI: 0.88-1.38; NutriGrade = very low). Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses.
Conclusions
Greater UPF consumption is linked to higher CRD risk, underscoring the need for public health interventions to reduce UPF exposure and mitigate CRD burden. High study heterogeneity highlights the need for further mechanistic research.
Systematic review registration
PROSPERO CRD42022345920.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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