NCT06996262

Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Processed Food

The Relationship Between NOVA-Classified Processed Food Intake and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Türkiye

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 236 (actual)
• Sponsor: Istanbul Bilgi University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain a primary cause of chronic disability and mortality globally, with cardiometabolic risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes significantly contributing to their development. Poor nutrition is recognized as a modifiable key risk factor for CVD, representing a crucial area for prevention strategies. While current research often emphasizes overall dietary patterns and quality in CVD prevention, the spectrum of food processing, ranging from minimally processed to ultra-processed foods (UPFs), can profoundly influence diet quality. Ultra-processed foods, characterized by industrial processing techniques, additives, and special industrial ingredients, have been shown to potentially compromise the health benefits of food by reducing essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, introducing unhealthy elements, and altering food structures. Emerging epidemiological evidence links higher UPF consumption to an increased risk of obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes, with studies like the Framingham Offspring Study indicating a positive association with CVD incidence. Globally, UPF consumption is on the rise, constituting a significant portion of daily energy intake. In Turkey, data from the 2021 National Nutrition and Health Survey reveals that a substantial 58% of adults consume processed foods daily . This is particularly concerning given Turkey's high burden of CVD, which has been the leading cause of mortality for decades and is projected to increase further due to an aging population and rising rates of diabetes and obesity. Notably, Turkey has the highest rate of early myocardial infarction in Europe. Given the increasing consumption of UPFs and their potential health implications, especially in a country with a high prevalence of CVD like Turkey, understanding the relationship between dietary factors and cardiovascular health is critical. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between processed food intake and cardiometabolic risk factors among adult individuals in Türkiye.

Conditions

• Cardiac Disease
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Nutrition
• Nutritional Disease
• Cardiometabolic Diseases
• Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	observational study	The questionnaire consisted of structured questions covering sociodemographic information, health status, dietary habits, and physical activity levels.
OTHER	observational study	Anthropometric measurements was taken.
OTHER	observational study	Biochemical analyses were measured was measured using routine methods.
OTHER	observational study	Blood pressure were measured was measured using routine methods.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-03-01
• Primary completion: 2024-04-30
• Completion: 2024-04-30
• First posted: 2025-05-30
• Last updated: 2025-05-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)