(P26-10-26) Ultra-Processed Food Intake is Associated with Higher Hypertension Incidence in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Objectives: To evaluate the association between overall and group-specific ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and incident hypertension (HTN) in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Methods: We included 5,171 Hispanic/Latino adults free of HTN, cardiovascular disease, and cancer at baseline (2008-2011) and with HTN data at follow-up (2014-2017). At baseline, 24-h dietary recalls and a food propensity questionnaire assessed diet. Nova-defined UPF were expressed as % contribution to total dietary weight. We evaluated 13 UPF groups and intakes were standardized using inverse normal transformation to account for skewed distributions. Incident HTN was defined by blood pressure ≥130mmHg (systolic), ≥80mmHg (diastolic), self-report, or medication use. Multivariable Poisson models estimated incident rate ratios (IRR; 95% CIs) for HTN per 10-percentage-point increases in overall UPF intake and 1-SD increments in UPF group intakes. A priori stratification was conducted by heritage, US nativity, and BMI and diabetes (DBT) status. Heterogeneity was assessed with Wald tests.

Results: The overall mean (SE) percentage contribution to dietary weight from UPF was 17.4% (0.4). UPF intake was higher among adults aged 18-44 y (18.8%; 0.2), men (18.3%; 0.2), Puerto Ricans (20.7%; 0.4), US-born (18.3%; 0.2), smokers (18.3%; 0.2), and people with DBT (18.2%; 0.2), compared with their counterparts. In a mean follow-up of 6.1 y (1,598 HTN cases), each 10-percentage-point increase in overall UPF was associated with 14% higher HTN incidence rate (1.14; 1.04, 1.26). After stratification, associations remained significant for Puerto Ricans (1.16; 1.01, 1.32), those with overweight/obesity (1.16; 1.05, 1.28) and without DBT (1.17; 1.06, 1.29); and were higher for Mexicans (1.25; 1.06, 1.47), and US-born (1.25; 1.07, 1.46). However, interactions were only significant for BMI status (p-value 0.04). Higher HTN incidence rates were noted for each SD increase in sugary drinks (1.16; 1.07, 1.26), processed meat (1.08; 1.01, 1.15), and protein-rich foods intake (e.g. supplements and meal replacements like bars or drinks; 1.08; 1.00, 1.16).

Conclusions: Reducing overall UPF intake, especially sugary drinks, processed meat, and protein-rich supplements, may help lower HTN risk among US Hispanic/Latino adults, particularly in those with excess weight.

Funding Sources: NIH