The association of ultra-processed foods and risk of sarcopenia among community-dwelling older adults

This study was performed to examine the association of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) intake and the risk of sarcopenia among community-dwelling older adults. A total of 368 older adults (mean age: 67.11 ± 6.21 years; 55.2% female) residing in Maragheh City, Iran, were enrolled. Body composition was estimated by a body composition analyzer and physical activity by the short-form physical activity questionnaire. UPFs intake was determined using a self-administered 147-item semi-quantitative FFQ and classified according to the NOVA system. Blood samples were also collected to evaluate relevant biochemical parameters. Raw and adjusted logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship of UPF intake tertiles (T) with risk of sarcopenia. Outcomes revealed that the overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 13.9%. In multivariable-adjusted models, higher UPFs intake (T3 vs. T1) was significantly associated with an increased risk of low muscle strength in females (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.09–5.51, P = 0.030) but not in males (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.36–2.20, P = 0.804) or the overall population (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 0.93–2.92, P = 0.084). Additionally, higher UPFs intake was significantly associated with low physical performance in the overall population (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.02–3.20, P = 0.041) and in males (OR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.04–7.65, P = 0.042), but not in females (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.67–3.06, P = 0.342). No significant associations were observed between UPFs intake and low muscle mass (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 0.74–4.40, P = 0.189) or overall sarcopenia (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 0.90–5.13, P = 0.082). This study identified significant associations between higher UPF consumption and both reduced muscle strength in community-dwelling older women and impaired physical performance in older men. However, no significant associations were found between UPF intake and muscle mass or overall sarcopenia diagnosis. Further large-scale prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the role of UPF intake in the development of sarcopenia in aging populations.