Association Between Ultraprocessed Dietary Pattern and Weight Gain in Adults: The Nutrinet-Brasil Cohort Study
Dublin Core
Title
Association Between Ultraprocessed Dietary Pattern and Weight Gain in Adults: The Nutrinet-Brasil Cohort Study
Subject
Processed foods--Health aspects--Brazil
Electronic Resource Item Type Metadata
Journal Name
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Volume
Vol. 71
Issue
No. 1
Publication Date
2026
Publisher
Elsevier, for the American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Document Type
Research paper
Language
English
ISBN
07493797
Region
Brazil
Access
Restricted Access
View Source
Abstract
Introduction
Ultraprocessed dietary patterns have been associated with higher risk of weight gain. Previous studies were conducted in high-income countries using dietary assessment tools not specifically designed to identify ultraprocessed foods. The purpose of this study was to examine the prospective association between ultraprocessed dietary pattern and risk of weight gain in Brazilian adults.
Methods
Data from 24,453 participants from NutriNet-Brasil cohort study who responded to 2 Nova24h dietary recalls at baseline and were followed for a median of 43.6 months were analyzed. Ultraprocessed dietary pattern was assessed on the basis of the contribution of ultraprocessed foods to total energy intake. Weight gain was defined as ≥5% and ≥10% increase from baseline body weight on the basis of self-reported measurements. Cox proportional hazards models, and stratified analyses were performed.
Results
A linear dose–response association was observed: for each 10% increase in ultraprocessed foods contribution, the risk of ≥5% weight gain increased by 5% (10,092 cases, hazard ratio=1.05; 95% CI=1.04, 1.07), and the risk of ≥10% weight gain increased by 8% (4,865 cases, hazard ratio=1.08; 95% CI=1.06, 1.10). Compared with participants in the lowest quintile (<11.8% of ultraprocessed foods), those in the highest quintile (≥34.0%) had higher risk of weight gain (≥5%: hazard ratio=1.23; 95% CI=1.15, 1.31; ≥10%: hazard ratio=1.35; 95% CI=1.23, 1.48). These associations persisted but attenuated after adjustment for diet nutritional profile.
Conclusions
Higher exposure to ultraprocessed dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of weight gain in Brazilian adults.
Ultraprocessed dietary patterns have been associated with higher risk of weight gain. Previous studies were conducted in high-income countries using dietary assessment tools not specifically designed to identify ultraprocessed foods. The purpose of this study was to examine the prospective association between ultraprocessed dietary pattern and risk of weight gain in Brazilian adults.
Methods
Data from 24,453 participants from NutriNet-Brasil cohort study who responded to 2 Nova24h dietary recalls at baseline and were followed for a median of 43.6 months were analyzed. Ultraprocessed dietary pattern was assessed on the basis of the contribution of ultraprocessed foods to total energy intake. Weight gain was defined as ≥5% and ≥10% increase from baseline body weight on the basis of self-reported measurements. Cox proportional hazards models, and stratified analyses were performed.
Results
A linear dose–response association was observed: for each 10% increase in ultraprocessed foods contribution, the risk of ≥5% weight gain increased by 5% (10,092 cases, hazard ratio=1.05; 95% CI=1.04, 1.07), and the risk of ≥10% weight gain increased by 8% (4,865 cases, hazard ratio=1.08; 95% CI=1.06, 1.10). Compared with participants in the lowest quintile (<11.8% of ultraprocessed foods), those in the highest quintile (≥34.0%) had higher risk of weight gain (≥5%: hazard ratio=1.23; 95% CI=1.15, 1.31; ≥10%: hazard ratio=1.35; 95% CI=1.23, 1.48). These associations persisted but attenuated after adjustment for diet nutritional profile.
Conclusions
Higher exposure to ultraprocessed dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of weight gain in Brazilian adults.
Cataloger
Haley Lesemann
Citation
“Association Between Ultraprocessed Dietary Pattern and Weight Gain in Adults: The Nutrinet-Brasil Cohort Study,” ICMGLT Digital Library, accessed November 3, 2026, https://library.icmglt.org/items/show/785.