The association of ultra-processed food intake on age-related muscle conditions: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis with meta-regression
Abstract Objectives Chronic excessive intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has been linked to various metabolic conditions; however, its impact on skeletal muscle mass and function in older adults remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to examine the association between UPF intake and...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00986-0 |
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| author | Mohammad Ali Hojjati Kermani Farhang Hameed Awlqadr Sepide Talebi Sanaz Mehrabani Donny M. Camera Reza Bagheri Fariborz Poorbaferani Seyed Mojtaba Ghoreishy Parsa Amirian Mahsa Zarpoosh Sajjad Moradi |
| author_facet | Mohammad Ali Hojjati Kermani Farhang Hameed Awlqadr Sepide Talebi Sanaz Mehrabani Donny M. Camera Reza Bagheri Fariborz Poorbaferani Seyed Mojtaba Ghoreishy Parsa Amirian Mahsa Zarpoosh Sajjad Moradi |
| author_sort | Mohammad Ali Hojjati Kermani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objectives Chronic excessive intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has been linked to various metabolic conditions; however, its impact on skeletal muscle mass and function in older adults remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to examine the association between UPF intake and age-related muscle outcomes, including frailty, sarcopenia, low muscle mass (LMM), and/or low muscle strength (LMS). Methods A systematic search was conducted in ISI Web of Science, LILACS, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus without restrictions up to November 1, 2024. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Study quality and the presence of publication bias were assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, Egger’s regression asymmetry test, and Begg’s rank correlation test. Results Data from 29 studies were included. Cohort studies showed that higher UPF intake was significantly associated with an increased risk of frailty (RR = 1.40; 95% CI 1.25–1.58; I2 = 83.0%; p < 0.001; n = 11), but not with LMS. In contrast, cross-sectional studies indicated that higher UPF intake was significantly associated with an increased risk of LMS (RR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.06–1.20; I2 = 0.0%; p < 0.001; n = 5), but not with frailty, sarcopenia, or LMM. Furthermore, a 100 g increase in UPF intake was associated with a 3% higher risk of frailty (RR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.01–1.06; I2 = 85.1%; p = 0.016; n = 5). Non-linear dose–response analysis showed a positive linear association between UPF intake and frailty risk (P_non-linearity = 0.807; P_dose-response < 0.001; n = 5). Conclusion Higher UPF intake was associated with an increased risk of frailty in cohort studies and with low muscle strength in cross-sectional studies. These findings suggest that regular consumption of UPFs may negatively affect muscle health, potentially impairing quality of life and independence in older adults. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8daa18a925e8488f8d78ed02cfe61c5f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2072-1315 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-8daa18a925e8488f8d78ed02cfe61c5f2025-08-20T03:05:04ZengBMCJournal of Health, Population and Nutrition2072-13152025-07-0144112710.1186/s41043-025-00986-0The association of ultra-processed food intake on age-related muscle conditions: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis with meta-regressionMohammad Ali Hojjati Kermani0Farhang Hameed Awlqadr1Sepide Talebi2Sanaz Mehrabani3Donny M. Camera4Reza Bagheri5Fariborz Poorbaferani6Seyed Mojtaba Ghoreishy7Parsa Amirian8Mahsa Zarpoosh9Sajjad Moradi10Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Food Science and Quality Control, Halabja Technical College, Sulaimani Polytechnic UniversityDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Science, Tehran University of Medical ScienceNutrition and Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Health and Biostatistics, Swinburne UniversityDepartment of Exercise Physiology, University of IsfahanDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical SciencesKermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS)Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS)Research Center for Evidence-Based Health Management, Maragheh University of Medical SciencesAbstract Objectives Chronic excessive intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has been linked to various metabolic conditions; however, its impact on skeletal muscle mass and function in older adults remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to examine the association between UPF intake and age-related muscle outcomes, including frailty, sarcopenia, low muscle mass (LMM), and/or low muscle strength (LMS). Methods A systematic search was conducted in ISI Web of Science, LILACS, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus without restrictions up to November 1, 2024. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Study quality and the presence of publication bias were assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, Egger’s regression asymmetry test, and Begg’s rank correlation test. Results Data from 29 studies were included. Cohort studies showed that higher UPF intake was significantly associated with an increased risk of frailty (RR = 1.40; 95% CI 1.25–1.58; I2 = 83.0%; p < 0.001; n = 11), but not with LMS. In contrast, cross-sectional studies indicated that higher UPF intake was significantly associated with an increased risk of LMS (RR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.06–1.20; I2 = 0.0%; p < 0.001; n = 5), but not with frailty, sarcopenia, or LMM. Furthermore, a 100 g increase in UPF intake was associated with a 3% higher risk of frailty (RR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.01–1.06; I2 = 85.1%; p = 0.016; n = 5). Non-linear dose–response analysis showed a positive linear association between UPF intake and frailty risk (P_non-linearity = 0.807; P_dose-response < 0.001; n = 5). Conclusion Higher UPF intake was associated with an increased risk of frailty in cohort studies and with low muscle strength in cross-sectional studies. These findings suggest that regular consumption of UPFs may negatively affect muscle health, potentially impairing quality of life and independence in older adults.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00986-0Processed foodsAgingSkeletal muscle massFrailty |
| spellingShingle | Mohammad Ali Hojjati Kermani Farhang Hameed Awlqadr Sepide Talebi Sanaz Mehrabani Donny M. Camera Reza Bagheri Fariborz Poorbaferani Seyed Mojtaba Ghoreishy Parsa Amirian Mahsa Zarpoosh Sajjad Moradi The association of ultra-processed food intake on age-related muscle conditions: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis with meta-regression Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition Processed foods Aging Skeletal muscle mass Frailty |
| title | The association of ultra-processed food intake on age-related muscle conditions: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis with meta-regression |
| title_full | The association of ultra-processed food intake on age-related muscle conditions: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis with meta-regression |
| title_fullStr | The association of ultra-processed food intake on age-related muscle conditions: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis with meta-regression |
| title_full_unstemmed | The association of ultra-processed food intake on age-related muscle conditions: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis with meta-regression |
| title_short | The association of ultra-processed food intake on age-related muscle conditions: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis with meta-regression |
| title_sort | association of ultra processed food intake on age related muscle conditions a systematic review and dose response meta analysis with meta regression |
| topic | Processed foods Aging Skeletal muscle mass Frailty |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00986-0 |
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