(P21-32-26) Body Composition, Inflammation, and Lipid Profiles by Ultra-Processed Food Intake in Healthy Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: To compare demographic characteristics, body composition, cardiometabolic markers, and inflammatory profiles between clinically healthy adults with high versus low ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption.

Methods: This is a single-site cross-sectional study (“PROFID”) of 50 clinically healthy adults stratified by UPF consumption (high vs low, n=25/group). Participants completed a screening visit and up to two study visits. Dietary intake was assessed using multiple-pass 24-hour recalls via ASA24 at each visit. UPF exposure was defined as the percentage of daily energy from NOVA Group 4 foods at screening (high UPF >75% kcal/day; low UPF < 25%). Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis, along with anthropometric measures including waist and abdominal circumference. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and a lipid panel (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides). Between-group comparisons are performed using t-tests.

Results: Mean age was 33.2±10.4 years, with no age difference between groups (p=0.33). Females comprised 70% of the low UPF group and 81% of the high UPF group. Compared with the low UPF group, the high UPF group had higher BMI (29.4±6.9 vs 24.4±3.5 kg/m2, p=0.006), waist circumference (94.9±18.3 vs 81.2±10.9 cm, p=0.006), and percent body fat (35.6±8.9 vs 26.4±6.5%, p=0.001). Low UPF participants had higher dry lean mass (20.9±2.3 vs 18.3±3.9 kg, p=0.013). Hs-CRP was higher in the high UPF group (2.26±2.92 vs 0.87±0.78 mg/L, p=0.046). Lipids did not differ between groups.

Conclusions: In this pilot study of clinically healthy adults, higher UPF intake was associated with greater overall and central adiposity, lower lean mass, and a trend towards higher hs-CRP, suggesting low-grade systemic inflammatory activation. Clinically, these findings support the possibility that high UPF consumption contributes to an unfavorable body composition phenotype, accompanied by emerging inflammation preceding over cardiometabolic disease.

Funding Sources: NIH/NIAID, Emory University