Relationship between Ultra-processed Food Consumption and Obesity in Low-income Populations

Abstract

Background: In recent years, the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UFPs) has increased rapidly in various countries, and based on this, various health problems such as chronic diseases such as obesity are common, especially in the consumption patterns of low-income groups. This is not only a serious threat to individual health but also causes various pressures on the public health system. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to study the consumption behavior of low-income people on UFPs and its impact on health. Results: Data analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, we found that the population with high frequency of consumption of super industrial food had a higher risk of obesity than the population with low frequency of consumption of UFPs. This food is usually high in sugar and fat, in addition, long-term artificial sweeteners may increase people's desire for sweets, so low-income people are easy to develop dependence on UFPs, which increases the risk of obesity. Conclusion: This study shows that there is a strong direct relationship between excessive consumption of UFPs and obesity, especially in low-income populations. This leads to a significant increase in the prevalence of obesity and related chronic diseases. Therefore, the results of this study provide direct and important reference materials for public health workers and policymakers, thereby reducing the enormous pressure on social health caused by UFPs, raising public awareness of its harmful effects, and improving the eating patterns of low-income populations. This research has important theoretical significance and practical value.