Consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with metabolic syndrome in individuals over 40 years of age.

A cross-sectional, population- and household-based study was conducted to ascertain the association between consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in individuals aged 20 to 39 and ≥ 40 years. Demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, anthropometric, biochemical, food consumption and blood pressure data were collected from individuals ≥ 20 years old, of both sexes, living in Teresina (Piauí). Of the 262 participants, 38.2% were aged 20 to 39 years and 61.8%, ≥ 40 years old. Individuals aged ≥ 40 years returned higher prevalence of MS (57.4%), hyperglycaemia (13%), hypertension (54.9%) and high waist circumference (50.6%). At 20 to 39 years of age, prevalence of MS was 23%, while blood glucose, blood pressure and waist circumference were normal in 99%, 78% and 77%, respectively. In the total sample, UPFs accounted for 20% of total calorie intake, but 24.4% in the group aged 20 to 39 years and 17% in the group ≥ 40 years. Individuals aged ≥ 40 years in the highest tercile of UPF consumption returned 35% higher prevalence of MS. Excessive consumption of UPF should be discouraged and the consumption of fresh/minimally processed foods, encouraged, with a view to guaranteeing population health.