Relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage and ultra-processed food intake: impact on leptin/adiponectin ratio in adolescents with obesity.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between dietary patterns and inflammatory markers in Brazilian adolescents with obesity.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 70 post-pubertal adolescents aged 15-19 years of both sexes who were classified as obese according to the World Health Organization criteria. Blood samples were collected to determine leptin and adiponectin levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, and the leptin/adiponectin ratio was calculated. Anthropometric measurements and body composition were assessed. Food intake was evaluated using a 24-hour dietary recall and categorized according to the NOVA classification into: fresh or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods. Participants were grouped according to sugar-sweetened beverage intake into intakers (n=41) and non-intakers (n=29).

Results: Adolescents who consumed sugar-sweetened beverages had higher fat-free mass, body weight, resting metabolic rate, and pro-inflammatory leptin/adiponectin ratio. They also showed greater intake of total grams, energy, proteins, lipids, cholesterol, carbohydrates, fiber, and saturated and polyunsaturated fats from ultra-processed foods. Additional analyses revealed that ultra-processed food intake was associated with increased body weight and higher waist and neck circumferences, which are relevant predictors of pro-inflammatory status.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and high ultra-processed food intake are associated with unfavorable anthropometric indicators and increased pro-inflammatory biomarkers, reflected by higher leptin/adiponectin ratios in adolescents with obesity.

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: RBR-6txv3v.