PD502 - THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD CONSUMPTION AND GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOM SEVERITY

PD502

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD CONSUMPTION AND GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOM SEVERITY

Y. HAZIRBABA^1,*, I. Kaya Cebioğlu¹, D. Serarslan Yılmaz¹

¹Nutrition and Dietetics, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye

Rationale: The link between ultra-processed foods (UPF) and obesity has been well established in recent years. However, the direct effects on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms have not been sufficiently investigated. Limited studies quantitatively evaluate the relationship between the level of UPF consumption and the severity of GI symptoms using valid and reliable measurement tools.

Methods: Data were collected in March 2026 with a tool examining demographic status, UPF consumption and GI symptom rating among a total of 406 adult individuals aged 18 years and older.

Results: Participants body mass index (BMI) data were categorized into 2 groups:Underweight and Normal weight (UW+NW) and Overweight and Obese (OW+Ob). Compared to the UW+NW group, total scores for reflux, indigestion, and abdominal pain were significantly higher in the OW+Ob group (p<0.05, for all). However, no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of UPF consumption and constipation (p>0.05). Additionally, as BMI levels increased, reflux and indigestion complaints were observed to increase (r=0.142, p=0.004 and r=0.149, p=0.003, respectively). Furthermore, moderate to strong positive and significant correlations were identified among reflux, indigestion, constipation, and abdominal pain variables (p<0.01). Moreover, there was a positive moderate level relationship between UPF consumption score and BMI (r=0.344, p=0.047).

Image:

Conclusion: Higher BMI was significantly associated with higher levels of reflux and indigestion symptoms, and that GI complaints are more pronounced in the higher BMI group. The positive and significant relationships observed among GI symptoms suggest that these complaints may have a multidimensional structure and able to trigger one another. It is important to note the positive link between UPF consumption and BMI. In conclusion, BMI levels can be considered an important determinant of GI health.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared