Relationships between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption, Food Addiction, Psychological Status, and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study in Turkish Adults
33rd European Congress on Obesity, İstanbul, Türkiye, 12 Mayıs - 15 Ağustos 2026, ss.216, (Özet Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: İstanbul
- Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.216
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Introduction: The obesity pandemic, one of the greatest threats to modern public health, has gained momentum with the global shift in dietary patterns toward ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Beyond their high energy density, hyper-palatable UPFs overstimulate brain reward pathways, fostering neurobiological adaptations similar to those observed in substance use and contributing to food addiction. The etiology of obesity is shaped not only by caloric imbalance but also by complex interactions involving systemic inflammation, gut microbiota, and mental health. As Europe’s most obese country, Turkey represents a critical gap in the literature during its transition toward Western-style dietary patterns. This study examines the interplay between UPF consumption, obesity, food addiction, and psychological factors in Turkish adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 671 adults. Anthropometric measurements were recorded under standardized conditions, including a 4-hour fasting period, light clothing, and correct positioning. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated by dividing body weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters (kg/m²), and the resulting values were classified according to World Health Organization criteria. UPF intake, food addiction, and psychological status were assessed using the Screening Questionnaire of Highly Processed Food Consumption (α = 0.671), the Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS-2.0) (α = 0.875), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) (α = 0.911), respectively. Results: Participants had a mean BMI of 24.98 ± 4.59 kg/m², a mean DASS-21 score of 17.53 ± 9.35 (min: 0, max: 63), and a mean mYFAS-2.0 score of 1.21 ± 2.17 (min: 0, max: 11). High UPF consumption was associated with significantly higher DASS-21 and mYFAS-2.0 scores (p < 0.001), whereas no significant difference was observed in BMI between the groups (p > 0.05). UPF consumption was positively associated with depression (r = 0.211, p < 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.243, p < 0.001), and stress (r = 0.217, p < 0.001). Similarly, a significant positive association was found between UPF consumption and food addiction (r = 0.242, p < 0.001). While BMI was positively associated with mYFAS-2.0 scores (r = 0.249, p < 0.001), no statistically significant associations were found between BMI and UPF consumption (r = 0.020, p = 0.605) or DASS-21 scores (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that UPF consumption is more strongly associated with psychopathology and food addiction than with direct weight gain. These results point to a behavioural mechanism suggesting that the relationship between UPF consumption and obesity risk may be driven primarily by food addiction and psychological distress rather than by a direct metabolic effect. A critical finding of the study is that BMI showed a significant association only with food addiction. This supports the hypothesis that UPFs may influence obesity through maladaptive eating behaviours and food addiction, highlighting the need for obesity management protocols that integrate behavioural interventions alongside dietary advice.