Evaluation of ultra-processed food consumption status and food addiction of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

Object: The aim of this study is to evaluate the UPF consumption status and food addiction of individuals with NAFLD. Materials and Methods: The research was carried out between February and August 2023 with 203 individuals aged 19 years and older, diagnosed with NAFLD in the Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Hospital. Personal information form, food frequency questionnaire, Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale Version 2.0, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-Short Form) were applied to the individuals. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 program and the data on the frequency of food consumption were analyzed using the BeBiS 9.0 program. In statistical analysis, the level of significance was accepted as p<0.05. Results: It was found that the total energy intake of individuals with high UPF consumption, energy percentages from carbohydrates and fats, sucrose, fructose, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega 3, omega 6, cholesterol intakes were significantly higher, while the energy percentages from proteins were significantly lower (p<0.05). It was found that the body weight of individuals with high UPF consumption was significantly higher (p<0.05). In addition, it was found that obese patients had higher food addiction scores than non-obese patients, and mYFAS 2.0 were significantly higher in individuals with high UPF consumption (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that as UPF consumption increased in individuals with NAFLD, food addiction levels also increased.