Ultra-processed food consumption is associated with knee osteoarthritis: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors' conclusion
UPF-rich diet is linked to worse KOA outcomes disproportionately more in women.
Study context
- Population
- Osteoarthritis Initiative participants with sufficient dietary and sociodemographic data; knee OA imaging and clinical outcomes in men and women
- Participants
- 4,403 participants
- Exposure
- Standardized ultra-processed food (UPF) proportion/day (%) as exposure; sex differences tested by UPF × sex interactions
- Outcome
- Association of greater UPF with knee OA outcomes
Methodological detailsmixed effects and linear regression models, adjusted for age, race, BMI, daily calories, physical activity and medical insurance availability
- Mixed effects and linear regression models
- Adjusted for age, race, BMI, daily calories, physical activity and medical insurance availability
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- WOMAC pain in women, β
- 0.17 [0.093, 0.242], p < 0.001
- WOMAC activities of daily living (ADL) in women, β
- 0.59 [0.365, 0.832], p < 0.001
- WOMAC total in women, β
- 0.81 [0.483, 1.13], p < 0.001
- Cartilage thickness (thinner) in women, β
- −0.013 [−0.02, −0.006], p < 0.001
- Gait speed (slower) in women, β
- −0.035 [−0.042, −0.027], p < 0.001
- Chair Stand Test (CST), β
- −0.008 [−0.013, −0.004], p < 0.001
- WOMAC stiffness, β
- 0.04 [0.008, 0.064], p = 0.011
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Ultra-processed food consumption is associated with knee osteoarthritis: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. Published 4 June 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →