Dyslipidemia is a well-established biomarker and modifiable risk factor of cardiovascular disease development (CVD). Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially formulated products that incorporate various food additives and are characterized by low...
Dyslipidemia is a well-established biomarker and modifiable risk factor of cardiovascular disease development (CVD). Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially formulated products that incorporate various food additives and are characterized by low nutritional quality. Growing evidence suggests that higher UPF intake is associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes including dyslipidemia. However, the certainty of the existing evidence is very low. Moreover, although UPF intake has been increasing in Korea, studies investigating its association with dyslipidemia are still limited. Therefore, this study aims to examine the association between UPF intake and dyslipidemia, as well as individual lipid components in Filipino immigrant women in Korea.
UPFs were identified from NOVA classification of food using 24-hours recalls. Prevalence of dyslipidemia was defined using borderline values from the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III and the 2022 Korean Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia based on four lipid parameters: total cholesterol (TC) ≥ 200 mg/dL, low-density level cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥ 130 mg/dL, triglyceride (TG) ≥ 150 mg/dL, and high-density level cholesterol (HDL-C) < 50 mg/dL. Moreover, participants who self-reported a diagnosis of abnormal cholesterol or TG levels, or who were taking medications were also classified as having dyslipidemia. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression models, and least squares means (LS-means) and 95% CIs were calculated using generalized linear models. Subgroup analyses were conducted by potential effect modifiers, including age and BMI. We also investigated the associations between the percentages of energy consumed from individual UPF groups, and the prevalence of dyslipidemia and high LDL-C by estimating ORs and 95% CIs. Of the 581 participants, 234 were diagnosed with dyslipidemia. The mean proportion of energy intake from UPF was 27.7 ± 17.6%.
Although the association between UPF intake and the odds of dyslipidemia was not statistically significant, a significant association between UPF intake and odds of high LDL-C was observed. The OR (95% CI) for the highest versus lowest tertile of UPF intake was 1.71 (1.01-2.92, p for trend = 0.03) for high LDL-C. Among participants with BMI < 25 kg/m2, higher UPF intake was associated with the odds of dyslipidemia [OR(95% CI): 1.87(1.08-3.26), p for trend=0.02] and high LDL-C [OR(95% CI): 2.62(1.29-5.33), p for trend=0.003] compared with those in the lowest tertile. Across individual UPF groups, higher intake of snacks and biscuits showed suggestive association with odds of dyslipidemia. Compared with non-consumers, the OR (95% CI) for the highest tertile of snacks and biscuits intake was 1.68 (0.92-3.05). In addition, the intake of processed milk and yogurt and of spreads and condiments showed suggestive associations with the odds of high LDL-C. Compared with the non-consumers, the highest tertile of spreads and condiments intake and processed milk and yogurt intake showed ORs (95% CIs) of 1.87 (0.90-3.90) and 1.99 (0.95-4.13), respectively.
In summary, higher UPF intake was significantly associated with prevalence of high LDL-C in Filipino immigrant women in Korea. Further prospective cohort studies and intervention studies are needed to confirm these findings and to clarify how each NOVA food groups differentially influence lipid profiles.