ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD CONSUMPTION AND METABOLIC HEALTH RISKS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

The increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among adolescents has emerged as a major public health concern due to its association with obesity and other metabolic disorders. This study examined the relationship between ultra-processed food consumption and metabolic health risks among adolescents in Pakistan, with dietary quality serving as a mediating variable. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected from 500 adolescents enrolled in public and private secondary schools and colleges across Pakistan using a multistage stratified random sampling technique. Ultra-processed food consumption and dietary quality were assessed using validated questionnaires based on the NOVA food classification system and food frequency measures, while metabolic health was evaluated through anthropometric and biochemical indicators, including body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 29 and SmartPLS 4.0. The findings revealed that ultra-processed food consumption significantly reduced dietary quality and increased metabolic health risks. Dietary quality partially mediated the relationship between ultra-processed food consumption and adverse metabolic outcomes, indicating that unhealthy dietary patterns play a critical role in the development of obesity and cardiometabolic disorders among adolescents. The study concludes that reducing ultra-processed food intake and promoting healthier dietary behaviors are essential for preventing metabolic disorders and improving adolescent health in Pakistan. The findings provide important evidence for nutrition policy, school-based health promotion programs, and public health interventions aimed at reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases among adolescents.