(P14-045-23) Ultra-Processed Food Intake Is Associated With Lower Diet Quality in Young Adult College Students

Objectives: Identify associations between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and diet quality (DQ) in young adult college students.

Methods: Data analysis included N=695 subjects 18-39yrs. Dietary data were collected using the online Diet History Questionnaire II and III. The HEI-2015 score, which measures adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, assessed DQ. NOVA classification was used to stratify all food items by extent and purpose of processing into four groups: 1) Unprocessed/minimally processed foods, 2) Processed culinary ingredients, 3) Processed foods, and 4) UPFs. UPF intake was expressed as percent energy intake (%EI) from NOVA Group 4 foods and sorted into quartiles. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the association between %EI from UPF and HEI-2015 total and component scores, controlling for gender, race, smoking, and campus meal plan.

Results: Sample mean age was 19.2 years. Subjects were primarily female (75%), Caucasian (82%), did not smoke or vape (89%), and had a campus meal plan (71%). Average energy intake was 2,048 kcal. HEI-2015 scores (M=64.3+10.9) and physical activity levels (M=2,334 MET-mins/week) were higher than U.S. adult averages. Intake of refined grains, cured meat, saturated and trans fat, and added sugars increased while fruits, vegetables, fiber, %EI from protein, and vegetable protein decreased across quartiles of UPF intake. A statistically significant inverse association was found between %EI from UPF and HEI-2015 total scores (F=35.03, p< 0.0001, R²=0.21). Similar inverse associations were found between %EI from UPF and all HEI adequacy component scores except whole grains (not significant) and dairy (weak positive association). A significant negative association was observed for saturated fat and refined grain moderation component scores, with none observed for sodium and added sugar. While effects were weak for most component scores, moderate effects were observed for total and whole fruit (R²=0.11), total vegetables (R²=0.12), greens and beans (R²=0.13), fatty acids (R²=0.16), and refined grains (R²=0.17) scores.

Conclusions: Associations between UPF intake and DQ in this population suggest addressing UPF intake in young adult college students may be a viable strategy to improve DQ, and could be considered as part of college health promotion efforts.

Funding Sources: University of Rhode Island