Consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with abdominal obesity in rotating shift workers

Background and aims: Higher intake of ultra-processed foods might be associated with an increased risk of obesity. Our objective was to evaluate the consumption of ultra-processed foods and their association with nutrient intake and excess body adiposity in shift workers.Design: Cross-sectional study conducted in 2016 with 238 male rotating shift workers. Dietary data is obtained by the 24-hour recall and classified according to processing by the NOVA classification system. Body adiposity indicators assessed were waist circumference and body mass index. Logistic regression models were built and adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and dietary variables.Results: Ultra-processed foods represented on average 22.3% of the total caloric value of the individuals' food consumption, with a maximum value of 66.9%. Participants with the highest tercile of ultra-processed foods consumed more carbohydrate (57%), protein (35%), total fat (96%), saturated fat (79%), cholesterol (68%), and sodium (44%) intake compared to the first tercile (p < 0.001). The most frequencies of ultra-processed foods consumed were bread (81.0%), followed by cookies (45.9%), sweetened beverages (45.7%), processed meats (46.8%), and margarine (46.8%). In multivariable analysis, the highest consumption of ultra-processed foods had 183% higher odds of abdominal obesity (OR = 2.83, 95%CI 1.29-6.22), compared with the lowest consumption. Conclusion: Ultra-processed foods are important contributors to the energy intake of these workers, and higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with abdominal obesity.