Household income and food addiction symptoms predict ultra-processed foods intake in Brazilian university students: implications for policy.

Publication date: Jul 01, 2026

In Brazil, ultra-processed food consumption has increased disproportionately among lower-income groups, and food insecurity has been linked to food addiction. Previous studies have examined income and food addiction separately as predictors of ultra-processed food intake. This study evaluated the joint contribution of household income and food addiction to ultra-processed food intake in Brazilian university students. A cross-sectional online study was conducted with 368 Brazilian university students aged 18-30 years. Ultra-processed food intake was assessed using a score based on the Nova classification, reflecting the number of ultra-processed food subgroups consumed on the previous day. Food addiction was measured with the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2. 0 and operationalized as diagnostic severity (none, mild, moderate, severe) and symptom presence (zero vs. one or more symptoms). Household income was categorized into four classes (A-D/E). Associations were examined using negative binomial regression, with multivariable models adjusted for body mass index and additional models including gender, race, and perceived stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lower household income was consistently associated with higher intake of ultra-processed foods. Compared with the highest income class, participants in income classes C and D/E showed expected intakes 39% and 42% higher, respectively. When food addiction was analyzed using diagnostic criteria, only the mild diagnosis group differed from the non-food addiction group, showing lower expected intake after adjustment for body mass index. In contrast, symptom-based analyses revealed that participants with one or more food addiction symptoms had an approximately 18% higher expected ultra-processed food intake than asymptomatic individuals. Lower income and symptom presence were particularly associated with consumption of ultra-processed foods that replace or accompany meals, as well as ultra-processed beverages. Household income and food addiction symptoms jointly influence ultra-processed food intake among Brazilian university students. Symptom-based measures appear more sensitive than diagnostic categories for identifying population-level vulnerability. These findings highlight the need for public policies that address both socioeconomic inequalities and addictive-like eating behaviors to reduce excessive ultra-processed food consumption.

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