Prospective association between ultra-processed food consumption and incidence of elevated symptoms of common mental disorders

Background: Our aim was to investigate the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and the incidence of elevated symptoms of common mental disorders (CMD) in two Brazilian birth cohorts. Methods: We analyzed data from the 1993 (n = 3130) and 1982 (n = 3165) Pelotas Birth Cohorts. In the 1993 cohort, the 18y wave provided the first wave data and the 22y wave the second wave data. In the 1982 cohort, the first and the second waves data came from the 22y and the 30y waves, respectively. The self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to assess CMD symptoms and determine the incidence of elevated symptoms of CMD over time. UPF consumption was assessed using food frequency questionnaires, and it was expressed as % of the total energy and % of g/d intake and coded into quartiles according to sex. Poisson and Cox regression models were used to estimate the association between UPF consumption and incidence of elevated symptoms of CMD. Results: There were no associations between first wave quartiles of UPF consumption and incidence of elevated symptoms of CMD (quartiles based on % of total energy:Q2: HR = 1.15, 95%CI: 0.93-1.42; Q3 = 0.91, 0.73-1.14; Q4 = 0.97, 0.77-1.21. Quartiles based on % of g/d: Q2 = 1.03, 0.83-1.27; Q3 = 1.05, 0.85-1.31; Q4 = 0.97, 0.78-1.21). Limitations: Recall bias and only two time-points in each cohort study. Conclusions: The consumption of ultra-processed food was not associated with the incidence of elevated CMD symptoms over time.

Automated summary

The consumption of ultra-processed food was not associated with the incidence of elevated symptoms of common mental disorders over time in two Brazilian birth cohorts.