# Association Between Consumption of Ultra‐Processed Foods and Adiposity Measures in Lactating Women

## TL;DR

This study found that lactating women who consume more ultra-processed foods tend to retain more weight after childbirth.

## Contribution

The study identifies a novel association between ultra-processed food consumption and postpartum weight retention in socioeconomically vulnerable lactating women.

## Key findings

- A higher proportion of dietary energy from ultra-processed foods was positively associated with postpartum weight retention.
- The average proportion of dietary energy from ultra-processed foods among participants was 25%.
- The study emphasizes the need to reduce ultra-processed food consumption during lactation to mitigate weight retention.

## Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the association between the consumption of ultra‐processed foods (UPF) and the anthropometric profile of lactating women in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability. In this cross‐sectional study, we collected socioeconomic and health data, food consumption information, and anthropometric measurements of lactating women between 30 and 150 days postpartum. Food consumption was evaluated using a 24‐h dietary recall adapted to UPF through the Nova classification, and the anthropometric profile was assessed according to postpartum weight retention (kilograms (kg)), current body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), and measurements of body perimeters (centimeters (cm)) and skinfolds (millimeters (mm)). Participants were grouped according to the proportion of dietary energy derived from UPF (tertile 1–2 vs. tertile 3). Adjusted linear regression models were employed to analyze associations. The study population consisted of 124 lactating women, most of had low income (102 (82.3%)) and lowest level of education (113 (91.1%)), and the average proportion of dietary energy from ultra‐processed foods (UPF) was 25% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0%–76%). We found a positive association between the proportion of dietary energy from UPF and postpartum weight retention (β = 3.75, 95% CI 1.40–6.10, p < 0.002). Our findings suggest that a greater proportion of UPF in the diet of lactating women is related to postpartum weight retention, which reinforces the need for actions aimed at reducing UPF consumption during lactation. Our results require confirmation from future, more rigorous studies.

Our findings suggest that a higher proportion of ultra‐processed foods (UPF) in the diet of lactating women is associated with postpartum weight retention. This highlights the importance of implementing strategies to reduce UPF consumption during the lactation period.