Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO1051

Kidney Function and Ultra-processed Food Intake among Older Puerto Rican Adults Living in Boston

Session Information

• Kidney Nutrition and Metabolism
  October 25, 2024 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

• 1500 Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

Authors

• Leonberg, Kristin, Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Kristin Leonberg, MS, CDE, RDN

• Flanagan, Kaylea D., University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, United States

Kaylea D. Flanagan, RD, MPH

• Tucker, Katherine L., University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, United States

Katherine L. Tucker, PhD

• Scott, Tammy, Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Tammy Scott, PhD

• Maski, Manish, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Manish Maski, MD, MS

• Naumova, Elena N., Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Elena N. Naumova, PhD

Background

Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake has been associated with higher chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk and disease progression . These foods are ready-to-eat industrial formulations offering convenience and lower cost, but lower nutritional value. Trends in increased consumption have been reported among the general United States (US) population across the lifecycle and among population subgroups. Previous reports indicate that, in the US Hispanic population, 63% of energy intake is from UPF. However, these studies do not provide specific information on the Puerto Rican (PR) subpopulation, as the composition of the Hispanic race/ethnic groups remain unclear. We, therefore, aimed to describe kidney function and UPF intake and their trends among older adults enrolled in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS).

Methods

The BPRHS is a longitudinal cohort of older PR adults in the Boston area, established in 2004. We estimated kidney function (eGFR) using the 2021 CKD_epi equation (without race) at baseline, and ~2 and ~6-year follow-ups. We estimated the percentage of energy intake (Pkcal) from UPF using dietary data collected with a food frequency questionnaire, and identified UPF based on the Nova processed food classification system at baseline and ~2-y follow-up.

Results

At baseline, 1371 (71% female) adults with mean (SD) age 57.1 (7.6) y had eGFR and Pkcal-UPF data available. Mean (SD) eGFR was 91 (±18.0) mL/min/1.73m². Mean (SD) Pkcal-UPF was 27% (±12%) and did not differ between males and females (P = 0.43). A total of 1145 (71% female) adults had eGFR and Pkcal-UPF data available at the ~2-year follow-up. Mean eGFR decreased by 3% (87.9 mL/min/1.73m²) after ~2-y and Pkcal-UPF remained similar, representing 26% (±12%) dietary intake.

Conclusion

Among participants enrolled in BPRHS, the Pkcal-UPF was relatively low, relative to reports from other populations. Further evaluation is needed to assess the temporal association between Pkcal-UPF and eGFR decline in this population.