International Journal of Public Health (Oct 2024)

Association Between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Cognitive Performance Among Adolescent Students From Underdeveloped Cities in Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • João Victor Laurindo dos Santos,
  • João Victor Laurindo dos Santos,
  • Ingrid Sofia Vieira de Melo,
  • Clara Andrezza Crisóstomo Bezerra Costa,
  • Clara Andrezza Crisóstomo Bezerra Costa,
  • Layanne Cabral de Almeida,
  • Dafiny Rodrigues Silva,
  • Débora Cavalcante Ferro,
  • Déborah Tenório Costa Paula,
  • Mateus de Lima Macena,
  • Nassib Bezerra Bueno,
  • Nassib Bezerra Bueno

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2024.1607658
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 69

Abstract

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ObjectivesThe association between ultra-processed foods (UPF) consumption and cognitive performance needs to be better characterized in adolescents, especially in low-income settings, where the cost of human capital is high. This study investigated the association between cognitive performance and UPF in adolescents from the countryside of the Brazilian Northeast.MethodsAdolescents (15–18 years old) from three public high schools were included. Food intake was assessed using three 24-hour dietary recalls. The classification of foods as UPF was determined according to the Nova classification. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Non-Verbal General Intelligence Test.Results116 adolescents were included, of which 50 (43.1%) showed low cognitive performance. The average energy intake was 1973.5 kcal, with 24.2% coming from UPF. Participants with low cognitive performance consumed 26.5% (95% CI: [22.2; 30.7]%) of daily energy intake from UPF compared to 22.5% ([18.8; 26.2]%) of those with medium-high cognitive performance (P = 0.17), without differences in energy and macronutrient intake.ConclusionDespite similar UPF consumption compared to the Brazilian average, no association was found between UPF consumption and cognitive performance in this low-income adolescent sample.

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