Ultra-processed food consumption and the risk of overweight and obesity in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Overweight and obesity during early life increase the risk of premature morbidity and mortality. Adolescent obesity raises the likelihood of developing cardiovascular risk factors, including prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, liver disease, and metabolic syndrome. Sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets are major contributors, with one of the fastest-growing unhealthy eating patterns being the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). No systematic review and meta-analysis has specifically examined the association between UPF consumption and overweight/obesity in adolescents. Objective: To systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of available evidence on the association between UPF consumption and overweight or obesity among adolescents. Methods: We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, HINARI, Google, and Google Scholar for primary studies reporting UPF consumption and overweight/obesity outcomes in adolescents, without restrictions on language or study period. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochrane’s Q test and the I² statistic. Publication bias and small-study effects were assessed using Egger’s regression test (p