Ultra-processed food triples high BP risk in Hyderabad youth: NIN study

A study by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, has found that high consumption of ultra-processed foods among young adults significantly increases the risk of high blood pressure.

Hyderabad: City-based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) in a study has linked the prevalence of high blood pressure among young people in Hyderabad to a high intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

The research revealed that students with a higher consumption of UPFs rich in fat and salt have nearly three times higher odds of elevated blood pressure compared to those with lower intakes.

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The paper titled ‘Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Patterns and Their Association with Blood Pressure Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study’, recently published in the prestigious journal Nutrients, examined the dietary habits and blood pressure profiles of 311 undergraduate students aged 18 to 24 from various colleges across Hyderabad.

The findings revealed that 12.5 percent of the participants already had high blood pressure (more than 140/90 mmHg), signaling a troubling, emerging cardiovascular risk among young adults.

The commonly consumed ultra-processed foods by youngsters included biscuits, chocolates, packaged savoury snacks, bread products, sugary beverages, and instant foods.

Dr. Bharati Kulkarni, Director of ICMR-NIN, said, “The findings from this study are an important reminder that dietary choices made early in life can significantly influence future cardiovascular health. There is an urgent need to create healthier food environments and strengthen nutrition literacy among young people.”

Dr. Karthikeyan Ramanujam and the co-authors of the paper added, “There is a need for targeted interventions in colleges and universities to promote healthier food choices.”