The association between ultra-processed foods intake and the odds of prostate cancer: a case–control study

Abstract Background Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are characterized by poor nutritional composition and the generating neo-formed carcinogens during high levels of processing. The current study aimed to investigate the association between UPFs consumption and the odds of prostate cancer (PC). Methods...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Melika Mahmoudi-zadeh, Yahya Jalilpiran, Zahra Maghsoudi, Mehran Nouri, Shiva Faghih
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00822-5
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849734815916490752
author Melika Mahmoudi-zadeh
Yahya Jalilpiran
Zahra Maghsoudi
Mehran Nouri
Shiva Faghih
author_facet Melika Mahmoudi-zadeh
Yahya Jalilpiran
Zahra Maghsoudi
Mehran Nouri
Shiva Faghih
author_sort Melika Mahmoudi-zadeh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are characterized by poor nutritional composition and the generating neo-formed carcinogens during high levels of processing. The current study aimed to investigate the association between UPFs consumption and the odds of prostate cancer (PC). Methods This case–control study recruited 62 PC cases and 63 hospital-based controls from two major referral hospitals of Shiraz, Iran, in 2015. Eligible men, newly diagnosed with PC through histological confirmation, were included as cases. Along with demographic and anthropometric information data, participant’s dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The NOVA classification was employed to categorize food items based on their level of industrial processing. The association between UPFs consumption (as a percentage of daily calorie intake) and the odds of developing PC was estimated using logistic regression models. BMI, education, physical activity, age, and fiber intake were considered confounders in the adjusted model. Results The study included 60 cases and 60 controls, with mean UPFs intake of 8.3% and 6.4%, respectively. The crude analysis showed no significant association between UPFs intake and PC odds ratio (OR) (OR = 1.96, confidence interval (CI) 95%: 0.94–4.05, P = 0.069). However, after adjusting for potential confounders, the association became significant, with high versus low UPFs intake associated with 2.81 times higher odds of PC (OR = 2.81, CI 95%: 1.18–6.65, P = 0.019). Conclusion Our findings highlight UPFs consumption as a factor associated with higher odds of PC in the Iranian male population. The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring industrial food processing practices and implementing measures to reduce UPFs consumption.
format Article
id doaj-art-bb341b336a3e4fcb9f042fccded8eb04
institution DOAJ
issn 2072-1315
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
spelling doaj-art-bb341b336a3e4fcb9f042fccded8eb042025-08-20T03:07:41ZengBMCJournal of Health, Population and Nutrition2072-13152025-04-014411910.1186/s41043-025-00822-5The association between ultra-processed foods intake and the odds of prostate cancer: a case–control studyMelika Mahmoudi-zadeh0Yahya Jalilpiran1Zahra Maghsoudi2Mehran Nouri3Shiva Faghih4Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical SciencesIranian Social Security Organization, Isfahan Province Health AdministrationInfertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are characterized by poor nutritional composition and the generating neo-formed carcinogens during high levels of processing. The current study aimed to investigate the association between UPFs consumption and the odds of prostate cancer (PC). Methods This case–control study recruited 62 PC cases and 63 hospital-based controls from two major referral hospitals of Shiraz, Iran, in 2015. Eligible men, newly diagnosed with PC through histological confirmation, were included as cases. Along with demographic and anthropometric information data, participant’s dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The NOVA classification was employed to categorize food items based on their level of industrial processing. The association between UPFs consumption (as a percentage of daily calorie intake) and the odds of developing PC was estimated using logistic regression models. BMI, education, physical activity, age, and fiber intake were considered confounders in the adjusted model. Results The study included 60 cases and 60 controls, with mean UPFs intake of 8.3% and 6.4%, respectively. The crude analysis showed no significant association between UPFs intake and PC odds ratio (OR) (OR = 1.96, confidence interval (CI) 95%: 0.94–4.05, P = 0.069). However, after adjusting for potential confounders, the association became significant, with high versus low UPFs intake associated with 2.81 times higher odds of PC (OR = 2.81, CI 95%: 1.18–6.65, P = 0.019). Conclusion Our findings highlight UPFs consumption as a factor associated with higher odds of PC in the Iranian male population. The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring industrial food processing practices and implementing measures to reduce UPFs consumption.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00822-5DietUltra-processed foodsProstate cancerCase–control studies
spellingShingle Melika Mahmoudi-zadeh
Yahya Jalilpiran
Zahra Maghsoudi
Mehran Nouri
Shiva Faghih
The association between ultra-processed foods intake and the odds of prostate cancer: a case–control study
Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
Diet
Ultra-processed foods
Prostate cancer
Case–control studies
title The association between ultra-processed foods intake and the odds of prostate cancer: a case–control study
title_full The association between ultra-processed foods intake and the odds of prostate cancer: a case–control study
title_fullStr The association between ultra-processed foods intake and the odds of prostate cancer: a case–control study
title_full_unstemmed The association between ultra-processed foods intake and the odds of prostate cancer: a case–control study
title_short The association between ultra-processed foods intake and the odds of prostate cancer: a case–control study
title_sort association between ultra processed foods intake and the odds of prostate cancer a case control study
topic Diet
Ultra-processed foods
Prostate cancer
Case–control studies
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00822-5
work_keys_str_mv AT melikamahmoudizadeh theassociationbetweenultraprocessedfoodsintakeandtheoddsofprostatecanceracasecontrolstudy
AT yahyajalilpiran theassociationbetweenultraprocessedfoodsintakeandtheoddsofprostatecanceracasecontrolstudy
AT zahramaghsoudi theassociationbetweenultraprocessedfoodsintakeandtheoddsofprostatecanceracasecontrolstudy
AT mehrannouri theassociationbetweenultraprocessedfoodsintakeandtheoddsofprostatecanceracasecontrolstudy
AT shivafaghih theassociationbetweenultraprocessedfoodsintakeandtheoddsofprostatecanceracasecontrolstudy
AT melikamahmoudizadeh associationbetweenultraprocessedfoodsintakeandtheoddsofprostatecanceracasecontrolstudy
AT yahyajalilpiran associationbetweenultraprocessedfoodsintakeandtheoddsofprostatecanceracasecontrolstudy
AT zahramaghsoudi associationbetweenultraprocessedfoodsintakeandtheoddsofprostatecanceracasecontrolstudy
AT mehrannouri associationbetweenultraprocessedfoodsintakeandtheoddsofprostatecanceracasecontrolstudy
AT shivafaghih associationbetweenultraprocessedfoodsintakeandtheoddsofprostatecanceracasecontrolstudy