(P09-06-26) Body Composition Outcomes of Ultra-Processed Food Reduction in a Free-living Environment

Objectives: Ultra-processed foods (UPF) in the western diet may increase risk of chronic metabolic conditions. This study aimed to determine prospective anthropometric outcomes after striving to consume a low-UPF diet in free-living adults.

Methods: For this clinical trial, 52 participants were randomized to consume their normal diet (ND; n=27) or a diet primarily composed of unprocessed/minimally processed foods (MPF; n=25) for an intervention period of 6 months, followed by a 6-month passive follow up. Dietary intake was tracked with 3-day food logs and analyzed via ESHA Food Processor. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months after enrollment. Relative body fat and lean mass were measured using dual-energy X ray absorptiometry.

Results: The MPF group showed a significant decrease in UPF consumption from baseline (63.8 ± 28.3%) to 6 months (41.0 ± 25.8%; p < 0.0001), which was significantly different from the ND group at 6 months (61.1 ± 24.5%; p = 0.0059). The significant decrease of the MPF group was also observed from baseline to 12 months (49.4 ± 24.2%; p = 0.007). There were no significant differences in BMI between groups at any time point; however, the MPF group showed a moderate positive correlation between change in UPF intake and change in BMI from baseline to 6 months (r = 0.407; p = 0.043) and a strong correlation from baseline to 12 months (r = 0.617; p = 0.001). The ND group had a significant increase in relative body fat from baseline (34.5 ± 9.7%) to 6 months (35.9 ± 9.6%; p = 0.0039), paired with a decrease in relative lean mass (62.6 ± 9.0% to 61.2 ± 9.1%; p = 0.0048). A significant opposite change was seen from 6 months to 12 months for both relative body fat (34.6 ± 9.7%; p= 0.0054) and relative lean mass (62.6 ± 9.2%; p = 0.0038). The ND group had a significant increase in waist circumference from baseline (39.2 ± 8.4 in) to 6 months (40.1 ± 8.4 in; p = 0.0443), which did not change thereafter.

Conclusions: The MPF group was able to successfully decrease their UPF intake for the main intervention period and beyond, which was correlated with decreased BMI. Further, the MPF group avoided body composition changes like increased body fat and waist circumference and decreased lean mass during the intervention period, which were observed in the control group.

Funding Sources: USDA NIFA AFRI Seed Grant (2023-69015-39600)