Lipids & metabolic liver disease
The association of ultra‐processed food intake with adolescent metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
Authors' conclusion
No clinically relevant association between UPF intake and MASLD in adolescents could be demonstrated. Our results nonetheless suggest that total energy intake and consumption of SCBs are important contributors to paediatric obesity and MASLD.
Study context
- Population
- Adolescent participants of the NHANES pre-pandemic cohort; MASLD assessed by different controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) cut-offs
- Exposure
- Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake vs MASLD/liver steatosis
- Outcome
- Percentage energy intake of UPF (NOVA classification) to total energy intake, as main outcome marker, in relation to MASLD
Methodological detailsNHANES pre-pandemic cohort, structural equation modelling
- NHANES pre-pandemic cohort
- Structural equation modelling
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
UPF share of total energy intake, median (range as printed)
75%
62–86
Correlation of UPF intake with CAP, not significant
ρ = 0.061
p = 0.091
Structural equation modelling (SEM) correlation, weak and non-significant
0.078
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Total energy intake in participants with MASLD
- Total energy intake significantly higher in participants with MASLD
- P < 0.001
Sugar-containing beverage (SCB) consumption in participants with MASLD
- Non-significant trend towards higher SCB consumption with MASLD
Original publication
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