Consumption of ultra-processed foods and its impact on body composition in adolescents aged 15 to 17 at the Sagrada Familia Educational Unit

Abstract

Introduction: The consumption of ultra-processed foods has become a dietary factor in Ecuadorian school culture, promoting imbalances in the anthropometric profile of adolescents, increasing cardiometabolic risk and the incidence of childhood overweight and obesity. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of ultra-processed food consumption on the body composition of adolescents aged 15 to 17 years at the Sagrada Familia Educational Unit. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted using Pearson's correlational analysis and a multiple linear regression model, evaluating ultra-processed food consumption and explaining positive correlations and significance with anthropometric variables. Results: 154 adolescent patients from the same educational unit were evaluated using descriptive analysis, significance testing, and correlation, considering the components of body composition and human anthropometrics. The correlation showed a positive proportional trend between an increase in the percentage of relative adiposity and weight with increasing intake of ultra-processed foods. Discussion: This study evaluated the correlation between the impact of ultra-processed food consumption on body composition and anthropometrics. A gradual deterioration in various indicators was found with increasing consumption of these substrates. Relative adiposity levels increased proportionally, accompanied by a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in abdominal circumference, which leads to a percentage increase in future cardiometabolic risk. Conclusions: A high consumption of ultra-processed foods negatively impacts body composition by increasing weight, overall adiposity, and decreasing muscle tissue.