Consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados e alterações metabólicas e da pressão arterial em crianças com obesidade

Abstract

An inadequate lifestyle, including unhealthy eating habits and the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), is associated with obesity, systemic hypertension, and metabolic disorders. These are global public health issues with a growing prevalence in children and adolescents. While the role of UPF in the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been identified in adults, this evidence is still limited in children. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the influence of UPF consumption on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), as well as lipid, glucose, and insulin levels in children with obesity. This is a prospective cohort study derived from a randomized clinical trial conducted with children aged 7 to 12 years with obesity. Over six months, children and their guardians participated in monthly individual consultations and educational activities to promote a decrease in UPF consumption. Blood pressure, body weight, height, and 24-hour dietary recall were measured at all visits. Serum markers and spot urine samples were collected at baseline, and at the second and fifth months of follow-up. Of the total 101 children in the clinical trial, 95 with a mean age of 9.2 years and adequate outcome measures were included in the analysis. UPF intake in energy and grams, BMI, and blood pressure showed a quadratic pattern of change, with a decrease in the first two months of follow-up and an increase thereafter. There was an association between UPF consumption in grams and DBP. For each 100g increase in UPF consumption during the study, there was a 0.28mmHg increase in DBP. Even after additional adjustment for BMI change, this increase was 0.22mmHg. Blood glucose showed a linear reduction, with a mean change of -2.25 from the beginning to the end of follow-up, after adjustment for BMI. Furthermore, there was a decrease in insulin during follow-up, but this association became non-significant after adjustment for BMI. Our findings suggest that reducing UPF consumption may lead to a decrease in blood pressure and blood glucose in children with obesity, regardless of changes in BMI.