VIDEO: More evidence needed to support policies against ultra-processed foods

BOSTON — There is not enough evidence to support policies or clinical decisions against the consumption of ultra-processed foods, according to research presented at NUTRITION.

Speaking to Healio, Richard D. Mattes, MPH, PhD, RD, a Distinguished Professor of Nutrition Science at Purdue University, noted that policies would ideally have evidence from three types of data: epidemiological studies, randomized controlled trials and mechanistic studies.

“There is an abundance of epidemiologic evidence showing, very convincingly, that there is an association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and obesity,” Mattes said. “It’s small, with an effect size ranging from about 2% up to 50%, but with an average of about a 20% increase in risk.”

Despite the positive association, “it’s actually no stronger than the association that we have seen documented for things like exercise and education level and many other factors that have been associated with obesity risk,” Mattes explained.

He also noted there is only one randomized controlled trial in this area, and existing mechanistic studies lack sufficient evidence.

“In the end, we have an intriguing hypothesis that ultra-processed foods are especially problematic for obesity risk, but at present, an inadequate evidence base to draw policy or even clinical decisions,” he said.

Reference:

• Higgins K, et al. Ultra-processed foods: Current challenges and future directions. Presented at: NUTRITION; July 22-25, 2023; Boston.