Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2024 Dec 7.
Published in final edited form as: Nutr Res Rev. 2023 Oct 31;37(2):416–456. doi: 10.1017/S0954422423000240

Table 2. Statistical associations between sociodemographic variables and UPF intake reported in each study. Adjusted estimates are reported where provided, or else unadjusted measures are reported.

Country Author, year Statistical measures Results by sociodemographic variable
Australia Grech, 2022 Unadjusted means, SE and p value Age: 19–30 years: 43.9% (SE:0.8); 31–50 years 38.0 (0.4); 51–70 years: 34.5 (0.5); 71+ years: 36.5 (0.7) (p-trend < 0.0001) Gender: Female: 37.5% (SE:0.4); Male: 38.8 (0.5) (p-trend = 0.047) SEIFA: Lowest (quintile 1): 40.1% (SE:0.8); Middle (quintile 2–3): 38.4 (0.4); Highest (quintile 5): 35.9 (0.7) (p-trend = 0.0013) Education: No tertiary education: 40.1% (SE:0.8); Vocational education: 38.4 (0.4); University education: 35.9 (0.7) (p-trend = 0.0013) Country of birth: Australian-born: 40.3% (SE:0.4); Other English-speaking countries:37.6 (0.8); Other: 31.0 (0.7) (p-trend < 0.0001) Rural/urbanisation: Major cities: 37.3% (SE:0.3); Inner regional: 40.7 (0.7); Other: 39.3 (1.1) (p-trend < 0.0001)    
Machado, 2020 Unadjusted p-value across quintiles of UPF intake Age (20–39 years, 40–59 years, ≥60 years) p < 0.001 Gender (Male, Female) p = 0.493 Years of education (≤9 years, 10–12 years, 10–12 years with graduate degree) p < 0.001 SEIFA (Quintile 1,2,3,4 and 5) p < 0.001 Rural/urbanisation (Major cities, Inner regional, Other) p = 0.002 Country of birth (Australia or English country, Other) p < 0.001    
Machado, 2019 Unadjusted mean, 95%CI and p value Young children (2–5 years): 47.3% [95%CI: 45.4, 49.2] ; Older children (6–11 years): 53.1% [95%CI: 51.6, 54.7]; Adolescents (12–19 years): 54.3 [95%CI: 52.6, 55.9]; Adults (20–64 years): 39.4% [95%CI: 38.7, 40.1]; Elderly (≥ 65 years): 36.3% [95%CI: 35.3, 37.4] p < 0.001              
Marchese, 2021 Adjusted beta, 95%CI and p value Gender: (Male = reference) Female: -0.8% [95%CI: -2.2, 0.5], p = 0.308 Age (19-30 = reference): 31–50:–4.6% [-6.4, -2.9]; 51-70: -8.3% [-10.3, -6.4]; 71+: -5.5% [-8.0, -2.9] p <0.00l. Country of birth (Australia = reference): Main English-speaking country: -1.2% [-2.9, 0.4]; Other: -8.1% [-9.8, -6.3] p <0.001 Area-level disadvantage (First quintile (greater disadvantage) = reference): Second quintile: -1.0% [-2.8, 0.8]; Third quintile: -0.1% [-1.9,1.7]; Fourth quintile: -0.7% [-2.9, 1.4]; Fifth quintile:-2.4% [-4.6, -0.1] p = 0.048 Education (Low = reference): Medium: -0.8% [-2.5, 0.8], High: -2.3% [-4.5, -0.2] p = 0.005 Household income (First quintile (20 % lowest income) = reference): Second quintile: 3.4% [1.7, 5.1]; Third quintile: l.9% [0.2, 3.5]; Fourth quintile: 2.2% [0.3, 4.2]; Fifth quintile (20 % highest income): -1.2 [-3.1, 0.7] p = 0.011 Rural/urbani sation (Major city of Australia = reference) Inner regional Australia: 0.6% [-0.8, 2.1]; Other: 0.3% [-1.8, 2.3] p= 0.904  
Barbados Harris, 2022 Unadjusted mean kcal/d (95 % CI) standardised energy intake to 2000 kcal/d, 95%CI and p value Age: 25–44: 889.1 kcal/d [95%CI: 835.8, 942.3]; 45–64: 737.1 [692.8, 781.3] p < 0.05 Gender: Males: 802.4 kcal/d [750.8, 854.1]; Females: 811.3 [763.4, 859.2] p > 0.05 Education: <Tertiary: 818.5 kcal/d (778.4, 858.5); Tertiary: 768.3 kcal/d [696.0, 840.7] p > 0.05          
Belgium Vandevijver e, 2018 Unadjusted mean and 95%CI and adjusted beta, SE and p value Unadjusted Gender (2004, 15-64 year-olds) Females: 28.9% [95%CI: 27.1, 30.2]; Males: 32.3% [30.9, 34.3]; (2014-15) Females: 29.7% [95%CI: 28.7, 31.2]; Males: 29.9% [28.6, 31.2] Adjusted age (2014-15) (3–5 = reference): 6-9:-6.98% (SE:1.83), p = 0.0001; 10-13: -6.58% (SE:1.79), p = 0.0002; 14-17: - 6.23 (SE:1.80), p = 0.0006; 18-34: - 7.27 (SE:2.10), p = 0.0006; 35-50: - 8.56 (SE:2.11), p < 0.0001; 51-64: 0.47 (SE:2.10), p = 0.8241 Unadjusted Education level (2014-15): Secondary education or lower: 30.5% [95%CI: 28.6, 31.5]; Higher education, short type: 29.9% [95%CI: 28.0, 31.4] Higher education, long type: 30.5% [95%CI:28.9, 31.9] Adjusted Region (2014-15) (Flanders = reference) Brussels capital region: 6.13% (SE: 1.17) p < 0.0001; Walloon region: 8.09% (SE: 0.78) p < 0.0001        
Vandevijver e, 2020 Unadjusted mean and 95%CI Unadjusted Gender Females: 29.7% [95%CI: 28.7, 31.2]; Males: 29.9% [95%CI: 28.6, 31.2] Unadjusted Age: 3–9 years: 33.3% [95%CI: 32.1, 35.0]; 10–17 years: 29.2% [95%CI: 27.7, 30.3]; 18–64 years: 29.6% [28.5, 30.7] Unadjusted Education level: Low: 30.5% [95%CI: 28.6, 31.5]; Medium: 29.9% [95%CI: 28.0, 31.4]; High: 30.5% [95%CI: 28.9, 31.9]          
Brazil Verly-Jr, 2021 Unadjusted mean and 95%CI Unadjusted Income: <0.5MW: 16.7% [95%CI: 16.1, 17.3]; 0.5-1 MW: 22.4% [95%CI: 21.9, 22.9]; 1.5-3MW: 27.3% [95%CI: 26.6%, 28.1%]; >3MW: 31.8 [95%CI: 30.9, 32.8]              
Louzada, 2017 Unadjusted mean and 95%CI Household income per capita: Tertile 1 (R$ 149.4–567.2 per capita): 15.7%; Tertile 2 (R$ 567.3–843.5 per capita): 22.4%; Tertile 3 (R$ 843.5–6445.4 per capita): 28.5% p <0.001              
Louzada, 2015 Unadjusted p-value across quintiles of UPF intake Age (10-19, 20-39, 40-59, 60+) p < 0.001 Gender (Male, Female) p < 0.001 Race/ethnicity (White, African-descendent, Other) p < 0.001 Rural/urbanisation (Rural, Urban) p < 0.001 Years of education (≤ 4, 5-8, 9-12, >12) p < 0.001 Annual household income per person (USD) (≤2200, 2201-4400, >4400) < 0.001    
Canella, 2018 Unadjusted mean intakes %kcal/day, 95%Cis Age: 10–19: 26.8% [95%CI: 26.1– 27.6]; 20–39: 21.3% [20.8, 21.9]; 40–59: 17.2% [16.6, 17.8]; 60+: 15.0% [14.2, 15.8] Gender: Male: 19.2% [95%CI: 18.7, 19.7]; Female: 21.8% [21.3, 22.2] Region: North: 14.8% [95%CI: 14.3, 15.4]; Northeast: 14.9% [14.5, 15.3]; Southeast: 23.6% [23.0, 24.2]; South: 25.7% [25.0,26.4]; Midwest: 19.4% [18.4, 20.3] Rural/urbanisation: Rural: 12.7% [12.3, 13.2]; Male: 22.1% [21.7, 22.5] Household income per capita: 1st tercile: 15.1% [95%CI: 14.6, 15.5]; 2nd tercile: 20.2% [19.7, 20.8]; 3rd tercile: 26.3% [25.7, 26.9]      
Nilson, 2022 Unadjusted mean intakes %kcal/day, 95%Cis Age (stratified by gender Male (M); Female (F)): 15-19: M: 25.1% [95%CI: 23.3, 26.9]; F: 26.2% [24.5, 28.0]; 20-24: M: 22.8% [20.8, 24.9]; F: 25.0% [23.5, 26.5]; 25-29: M: 22.3% [20.8, 23.9]; F: 22.0% [20.7, 23.3]; 30-34: M: 18.4% [17.2, 19.6]; F: 21.0% [19.3, 22.7]; 35–39: 18.6% [16.7, 20.4]; F: 19.0% [17.9, 20.1]; 40–44: M: 15.5% [14.4, 16.6]; F: 18.5% [17.3, 19.7]; 45-49: M: 18.1% [16.4, 19.6]; F: 18.4% [17.0, 19.8]; 50-54: M: 15.4% [14.3, 16.6]; F: 17.4% [15.9, 18.8]; 55-59: M: 14.6% [13.6, 15.7]; F: 16.2% [15.2, 17.3]; 60-64: M: 13.0% [11.9, 14.1]; F: 16.3% [15.2, 17.4]; 65-69: M: 14.2% [13.0, 15.5]; F: 16.0% [14.5, 17.5]; 70-74: M: 14.4% [12.6, 16.2]; F: 16.2% [14,7, 17.7]; 75-79: M: 13.1% [11.4, 14.8]; F: 15.1% [13.4, 16.7]; 80+: M: 12.7% [10.5, 15.0]; F: 17.9% [13.7, 22.1]              
Canada Moubarac, 2016 Unadjusted mean and p value Gender: Female: 46.5%; Male: 48.6% p < 0.001 Age: 2-18: 55.1%; 19-30: 51%; 31-50: 44.9%; 51-64: 42.2%; 65+: 42.6 p < 0.001 Education level: Less than high school diploma: 51.7%; High school diploma: 47.6%; Postsecondary studies: 49%; Post-secondary studies diploma: 44.1% p < 0.001 Family income: Low: 47.1%; Low-medium: 47.6%; Medium-high: 47.9%; High: 47.7%, p < 0.05 Rural/urbanisation: Rural: 50%; Urban: 47.2% p < 0.001      
Nardocci, 2018 Adjusted standardised beta and p value Gender: (Male = reference) Female: -0.04, p = 0.005 Age (continuous): - 0.14, p < 0.001 Education (< Postsecondary graduation = reference): Postsecondary graduation: -0.06, p < 0.001 Income (Lowest = reference) Lowermiddle: 0.02, p = 0.277; Upper-middle: 0.02, p = 0.346; Highest: -0.01, p = 0.850; Not stated: 0.02, p = 0.318 Immigration status (Nonimmigrant = reference): Immigrant: -0.22, p < 0.001 Rural/urbanisation (Rural = reference): Urban: -0.01, p = 0.213    
Polsky, 2020 Unadjusted mean, 95%CI and p value Age and gender 2004: 2-5: 51.0% {95%CI: 49.8, 52.3]; 6-12: 55.8% [55.0, 56.6]; Adolescent females 13-18: 57.2% [56.1, 58.3]; Adolescent males 13-18: 57.4% [56.2, 58.5]; Adult females 19-54: 44.8% [43.8, 45.8]; Adult males 19-54: 48.2% [47.0, 49.4]; Older females 55+: 41.7% [40.6, 42.8]; Older males 55+: 42.5% [41.5, 43.6] 2015: 2-5: 48.0% [46.1, 49.9]; 6-12: 53.0% [51.9, 54.2]; Adolescent females 13-18: 50.4% [48.5, 52.4]; Adolescent males 13-18: 53.2% [51.5, 54.9]; Adult females 19-54: 41.6% [40.2, 43.0]; Adult males 19-54: 45.4% [43.8, 47.0]; Older females 55+: 45.2% [44.0, 46.4]; Older males 55+: 45.3% [43.9, 46.7]              
Hutchinson, 2021 Adjusted mean SE and p value Food security across age-sex groups (Food secure, Marginally food insecure, Moderately food insecure, Severely food insecure: 1-8-years: p-trend = 0.002; 9-18- years: p-trend = 0.049; Women 19-64-years: p-trend = 0.003; Men 19-64-years: p-trend = 0.009              
Nardocci, 2020 Unadjusted p-value across tertiles of UPF intake Age(19-30, 31-50, 51-64, 65+): p = 0.0004 Gender (Male, Female) p = 0.0006 Income (quintiles) p = 0.0143 Education level (< High school, High school, Trade/college/CEGEP, University diploma) p < 0.0001 Rural/urbanisation (Rural, Urban) p < 0.0001 Immigrant (Immigrant, Canadian-born) p < 0.0001 Indigenous identity (Indigenous, non- Indigenous) p = 0.0009  
Chile Cediel, 2017 Adjusted mean, 95%CI and p value Gender: Female: 29.4% [95%CI: 28.1, 30.6]; Male: 27.8% [26.5, 29.2], p > 0.05 Age: 2-19: 38.6% [95%CI: 36.7, 40.6], 20-49: 26.7% [25.2, 28.2]; 50-64: 21.8% [19.7, 24.0], >=65: 18.3% [16.8, 19.8] p-trend <= 0.001 Rural/urbanisation: Rural: 23.7% [95%CI: 21.9, 25.5]; Urban: 29.3% [28.3, 30.4] p < 0.05 Region of country North: 27.5% [95%CI: 24.4, 30.6] (c); Centre: 28.5% [26.8, 30.3] (c); South: 26.7% [24.8, 28.6] (c,d); South (Austral): 27.3% [24.2, 30.4] (c); Metropolitan: 30.2% [28.6, 31.8] (e) unlike letters (c-e) p < 0.05 Family income: 1x MW: 25.8% [95%CI: 24.0, 27.6]; 2xMW: 28.7% [27.2, 30.3]; 3-5x MW: 30.0% [27.8, 32.2]; >= 6x MW: 30.1% [28.3, 31.9] p-trend <= 0.001 Head of family years of school: <=8 years: 28.7% [95%CI: 27.3, 30.1]; 9-11 years: 27.4% [25.7, 29.1]; >=12 years: 29.8% [28.0, 31.6]    
Colombia Khandpur, 2020 Adjusted mean intake, SE, beta and p value Gender Female: 16.2% (SE:0.2); Male: 15.5 (0.2); (Female = reference) Male beta: -0.6, p = 0.007 Age: 2-9: 19.3% (SE:0.3); 10-19: 19.3% (0.2); 20-34: 15.4% (0.3); 35-49: 12.2% (0.3); >=50: 11.4% (0.4); (2-9 = reference): 10-19 beta: -0.1, p = 0.718; 20-34 beta: - 3.9, p < 0.001; 35-49 beta: -7.1, p < 0.001; >=50: -7.9, p < 0.001 Socioeconomic status: Level 1 (low): 12.7% (SE: 0.3); Level 2: 15.8% (0.3); Level 3: 17.9% (0.3); Level 4 (high): 22.8% (1.0); (Level 1 (low) = reference): Level 2 beta: 3.1, p < 0.001; Level 3 beta: 5.2, p < 0.001; Level 4 (high) beta: 10.1, p < 0.001 Rural/urbanisation: Urban: 17.3% (SE: 0.2); Central: 12.6% (0.5); Rural: 11.2% (0.6); (Urban = reference): Central beta: -4.6, p < 0.001 Rural beta: -6.1, p < 0.001 Region: Atlantic: 12.7% (SE:0.3); Eastern: 18.1% (0.4); Central: 14.4% (0.4); Pacific: 14.9% (0.4); Bogotá: 21.6% (0.5); Orinoquía and Amazon: 15.7% (0.6); (Atlantic = reference): Eastern beta: 5.4, p < 0.001; Central beta: 1.7, p = 0.001; Pacific beta: 2.2, p < 0.001; Bogotá beta: 8.9, p < 0.001; Orinoquía and Amazon beta: 3.0, p < 0.001      
France Calixto Andrade, 2021 Adjusted mean intake and 95%CI Gender: Male: 31.4% [95%CI: 30.1, 32.7]; Female: 30.9% [30.0, 31.9] Age: 18-39: 39.1% [95%CI: 37.8, 40.5] 40-59: 28.1% [27.2, 29.0] 60+: 21.6% [20.4, 22.8] Rural/urbanisation: Rural: 28.9% [95%CI: 27.4, 30.4]; Urban: 31.9% [95%CI: 30.9, 32.8] Occupation: Management/interm ediate profession: 32.2% [95%CI: 30.9, 33.4]; Self- employed/farmers: 28.1% [25.1, 31.2]; Manual workers/employees: 32.7% [31.3, 34.2]; Retired: 22.3% [21.1, 23.5]; Homemakers, disabled persons, and others: 35.9% [34.1, 37.7] Education: Incomplete high school: 26.5% [95%CI: 24.9, 28.1]; Complete high school: 32.9% [31.8, 34.1]; Technical course: 32.2% [30.3, 34.0] University degree: 31.9% [30.4, 33.4]      
Salomé, 2021 Unadjusted p-value across tertiles of UPF intake Age (18-24, 25-34, 35-49, 50-65, 65-79) p < 0.001 Gender (Male, Female) p = 0.603 Education (Primary school, Middle school, Secondary school, College or university) p < 0.001 Occupation (Employee, Manual worker, Farmer, Craftsman, shopkeeper, business owner, Intermediate profession, Professional, executive, Retired, Inactive) p < 0.001 Region (Ile-de-France (Paris area), North-West, North-East, South-East, South-West) p = 0.238 City size (Rural, 2 000-19 999 individuals, 20 000-99 999 individuals, ≥100 000 individuals, Paris agglomeration) p < 0.001 Food insecurity (Food security, Moderate food insecurity, Severe food insecurity) p < 0.001 Marital status (Single, Married, Unmarried couple, Widowed, Separated/divorce d, Refusal to answer) p < 0.001
Italy Ruggiero, 2021 Adjusted beta, 95%CI and p value Gender (Women = reference) Men beta: -1.28 [95%CI: -1.89, - 0.68] p < 0.0001 Age (20-40 = reference) 41-65 beta: -1.15 [95%CI: -2.14, -0.15] p < 0.0001, >65 beta: - 3.10 [-4.40, -1.80] p = 0.024 Geographical area (Northern Italy = reference) Central Italy beta: -0.23 [95%CI: -0.99, 0.53] p = 0.56; Southern Italy = 0.014 Rural/urbanisation (Rural = reference) Urban beta: 1.64 [95%CI: 0.87, 2.42] p < 0.0001 Education (Upper Elementary = reference) Lower secondary beta: 0.70 [95%CI: -0.15, 1.55] p = 0.11; Upper secondary beta: 0.55 [-1.36, 0.74] p = 0.20; Postsecondary beta: 0.65 [-2.14, 0.44] p = 0.22 Occupation (Manual = reference) Non-manual beta: -0.02 [95%CI: - 0.85, 0.81] p = 0.96; Housewife beta: -0.79 [1.86, 0.29] p = 0.15; Retired beta: -1.87 [2.83, -0.91] p = 0.0001; Student beta: 0.69 [1.60, 2.98] = 0.55; Unemployed beta: -0.64 [-2.30, 1.01] p = 0.44 Marital status (Married/in couple = reference) Unmarried beta: 1.26 [95%CI: 0.37, 2.15] p = 0.0053; Separated/divorced beta: 1.88 [0.38, 3.38] p = 0.014; Widowed beta: 1.16 [0.07, 2.24] p = 0.037  
Korea Shim, 2022 Adjusted mean intake, 95%CI and p value Gender: Female: 25.0% [95%CI: 24.4, 25.6]; Male: 25.8% [95%CI: 25.5, 26.1] p < 0.0001. Time trend across 2010-18 p-trend Males <0.0001; Females <0.0001 Age: 1–12: 30.7% [95%CI: 30.0, 31.3]; 13–19: 33.8% [32.9, 34.6]; 20–49: 26.6% [26.1, 27.0]; 50–64: 19.7% [19.3, 20.1]; ≥65: 16.3% [15.8, 16.7]; p linear trend < 0.001. Time trend across 2010-18 p- trend, 1-12 = 0.0002; 13-19 = 0.0001; 20-49 <0.0001; 50-64 <0.0001; ≥65 <0.0001 Residence: Urban: 25.8% [95%CI: 25.5, 26.1]; Rural: 25.0% [24.4, 25.6] p = 0.004. Time trend across 2010-18 p-trend, urban <0.0001; Rural <0.0001 Education: Middle school or less: 23.4% [95%CI: 23.0, 23.8]; High school: 26.4% [25.9, 26.9]; College or higher: 26.3% [25.8, 26.9]; p< 0.0001. Time trend across 2010-18 p-trend, Middle school or less <0.0001; High school <0.0001; College or higher: <0.0001 Household income: Low (Quartile 1): 25.5% [95%CI: 24.9, 26.1]; Middle (Quartile 2–3): 25.4% [25.0, 25.8]; High (Quartile 4): 25.3% [24.8, 25.7] p = 0.174. Time trend across 2010-18 p- trend, Low (Quartile 1) = 0.0361; Middle (Quartile 2– 3) <0.0001; High (Quartile 4) <0.0001      
Sung, 2022 Adjusted mean intake, SE and p value Gender: Female: 26.19% (SE:0.38); Male: 27.55 (0.39) p = 0.0165 Age 19–29: 34.57% (SE:0.82); 30–49: 27.53% (0.42); 50– 64: 20.64% (0.41), p < 0.0001, p linear trend < 0.0001. (19-29 = reference) 30-49 p < 001; 50-64 p < 0.001. Household income: Lowest: 26.22% (SE:0.94); Lower middle: 27.58 (0.53); Upper middle: 26.64 (0.40); Highest: 26.80% (0.46), p = 0.4254, p linear trend = 0.8007 Education level: Middle school or lower: 24.98% (SE:0.66); High school: 27.59 % (0.43); College or higher: 26.81% (0.37), p = 0.0022, p linear trend = 0.2662. (Middle school or lower = reference) High school p < 0.01; College or higher p < 0.05. Rural/urbanisation: Urban: 27.01% (SE:0.29); Rural: 25.88% (0.66); p = 0.1138 Marital status: Single/Separated/Divorced: 27.73% (0.62); Married: 26.43% (0.37); p = 0.1169 Household status: One- person household: 27.57% (SE:0.29); Multiperson household: 26.81% (0.91) p = 0.4439  
  Shim, 2021 Unadjusted mean, SE and p value Gender: Male: 27.1% (SE:0.3); Female 25.3% (0.3), p < 0.001 Age: 1-18: 31.5% (SE:0.4); 19-49: 29.9% (0.3); 50-64: 21.0% (0.3); 65+: 15.8% (0.3), p < 0.001            
Shim, 2021 Unadjusted p-value across tertiles of UPF intake Age (continuous) p < 0.001 Gender (Male, Female) p < 0.001 Income (High (above median income), Median and below income)n p = 0.082 Rural/Urbanisation (Urban, Rural) = 0.001 Education (>12 years, <=12 years) p <0.001      
Mexico Marrón-Ponce, 2019 Unadjusted p-value across quintiles of UPF intake Gender (Male, Female) p = 0.16 Age (1-4, 5-11, 12-19, 20-59, 60+) p < 0.001 Rural/Urbanisation (Rural, Urban) p < 0.001 Region (South, Central, North) p < 0.001 Socioeconomic status (Low, Medium, High) p < 0.001 Head of household educational level (No formal education, Elementary school, Middle school, High school, College) p < 0.001    
  Marrón-Ponce, 2017 Adjusted beta and 95%CI Gender (Male = reference) Female beta: 0.5% [95%CI: -0.9, 1.9] Age (Pre-schoolaged children = reference) Schoolaged children beta: -3.8% [95%CI: -5.4, -2.2]; Adolescents beta: -3.0% [-4.9, - 1.1]; Adults beta: - 12.5% [-14.1, -10.9] Rural/Urbanisation (Rural = reference) Urban beta: 5.6% [95%CI: 4.2, 7.0] Region of Mexico (South = reference) Central beta: 2.7% [95%CI: 1.2, 4.1]; North beta: 8.4% [6.6, 10.1] Socioeconomic status (Low = reference) Medium = 4.5% [95%CI: 2.8, 6.2]; High = 4.5% [2.5, 6.5] Head of household education level (Without education = reference) Elementary education: 1.9% [95%CI: -0.5, 4.3]; Middle school education: 3.4% [0.8, 6.1]; High school education: 4.3% [1.1, 7.4]; College graduate education: 7.8% [4.3, 11.4]    
Oviedo-Solís, 2022 Unadjusted mean and 95%CI Age: (Dietary recall) Adults (<60): 21.4% [95%CI: 18.8, 24.0]; Older adults (60+): 14.2% [10.7, 17.6]; (Food Frequency Questionnaire) Adults (<60): 20.9% [95%CI: 18.5, 23.2]; Older adults (60+): 16.6% [13.6, 19.7]              
Netherlan ds Vellinga, 2022 Unadjusted mean (g/2000kcal), 95%CI and p value Gender: Male: 889g/2000kcal [95%CI: 870, 907]; Female: 898g/2000kcal [877, 918] p > 0.05 Age: 1-3: 1202g/2000kcal [95%CI: 1159, 1246]; 4-8: 1252g/2000kcal [1217, 1288]; 9-13: 1209g/2000kcal [1175, 1243]; 1418: 1165g/2000kcal [1124, 1206]; 1930: 962g/2000kcal [921, 1003]; 31-50: 874g/2000kcal [834, 914]; 51-70: 700g/2000kcal [669, 730]; 71-79: 632g/2000kcal [607, 656] p < 0.001 Education level: Low: 871g/2000kcal [95%CI: 838, 903]; Moderate: 939g/2000kcal [916, 962]; High: 850g/2000kcal [830, 871] p < 0.001 Degree of urbanisation: Low: 876g/2000kcal [856, 896]; Moderate: 898g/2000kcal [868, 928]; High: 916g/2000kcal [891, 942] p < 0.01        
Portugal Miranda, 2020 Unadjusted mean, SE and p value Age: Adults (18-64): 23.84% (SE: 0.42); Elderly (65+): 15.96% (SE: 0.56), p < 0.001              
Magalhães, 2021 Adjusted beta and 95%CI Age by gender (Male (M); Female (F)): (45-64 = reference) 3-9: M: 179g [95%CI: 128, 231]; F: 140g [89, 191]; 10-17: M: 327g [277, 377]; F: 192g [135, 249]; 18-44: M: 235g [190, 280]; F: 100g [67, 133]; 65-84: M: -51g [-93, -9] ; F: -63g [-91, -34] Region by gender (Male (M); Female (F)): (North = reference): Centre: M: 0g [95%CI: -51, 52]; F: 7g [-26, 40]; Lisbon Metropolitan Area: M: 76g [19, 133]; F: 39g [-3, 81]; Alentejo: M: 41g [23, 106]; F: 50g [9, 90]; Algarve: M: 32g [-17, 80]; F: 36g [1, 70]; Autonomous Region of Madeira: M: -7g [-53, 39]; F: -23g [-59, 13]; Autonomous Region of Azores: M: 82g [-3, 167]; F: 40 [-3, 90] Education by gender (Male (M); Female (F)): (>12 years = reference): <=6 years: M: -68g [95%CI: -124, -12]; F: -51g [-86, - 16]; 7-12 years: M: 7g [-32, 46]; F: 21g [-6, 49] Urbanisation by gender (Male (M); Female (F)): (Predominantly urban area = reference): Medially urban area: M: 1g [95%CI: -65, 67]; F: -12g [-49, 24]; Predominantly rural area: M: 0g [-47, 48]; F: -21g [-61, 20] Civil status by gender (Male (M); Female (F)): (Single, divorced or widowed = reference): Married, couples: M: -48g [95%CI: - 96, -1]; F: -10g [-38, 17] Household members by gender (Male (M); Female (F)): (1-2 = reference): 3-4: M: 13g [95%CI: -29, 54]; F: -6g [-37, 25]; 5+: M: 7g [-63, 77] ; F: -25g [-79, 29] Food insecurity by gender (Male (M); Female (F)): (No = reference): Yes: M: -43g [95%CI: - 109, 23]; F: - 11g [-43, 22]  
Spain Romero Ferreiro, 2021 Pearson correlation coefficient and p-value Age: p = -0.53, p <0.0001              
Romero Ferreiro, 2022 Adjusted beta, SE and p value, p value across time Age (continuous) beta: -0.15 (SE:0.01) p < 0.001. Across time (5-24, 25-49, 50-75): DRECE I 1991: p < 0.001; DRECE II 1996: p < 0.001; DRECE III 2004: p = 0.014; DRECE IV 2008: p = 0.035 Gender (Male = reference) Female beta: 1.06 (SE:0.33), p = 0.01. Time trend (Male, Female) DRECE I 1991: p = 0.589; DRECE II 1996: p < 0.001; DRECE III 2004: p = 0.031; DRECE IV 2008: p = 0.401 Geographical region (North-West, North, North-East, West, Central-South, East, South, Canary Islands) DRECE I 1991: p < 0.0001, DRECE II 1996: p = 0.010; DRECE III 2004 p < 0.001; DRECE IV 2008: p < 0.001          
Blanco-Rojo, 2019 Unadjusted p-value across quartiles of UPF intake Gender (Male, Female) p trend = 0.39 Age (continuous) p trend < 0.001 Education level (No formal education, Primary, Secondary or higher) p trend < 0.001 Household status (Living alone, Living with others) p trend < 0.001        
Switzerland Bertoni Maluf, 2022 Unadjusted median, IQR and unadjusted and adjusted p-value Gender: Male: 29.2% [IQR: 20.8– 39.9]; Female: 28.4% [19.4, 38.5] adjusted p = 0.012 Age: 18-29: 34.8% [IQR: 24.5, 45.0] ; 30-39: 31.8% [22.3, 42.0]; 40-49: 28.2% [20.3, 37.8]; 50-64: 25.5% [16.9, 36.6]; 65-75: 26.3% [17.1, 35.0] adjusted p = 0.001 Region: German-speaking: 29.6% [IQR: 20.9, 39.6]; Frenchspeaking: 27.2% [17.7, 37.1]; Italianspeaking: 28.0% [16.9, 39.4] adjusted p = 0.002 Nationality: Swiss: 29.2% [IQR: 20.3, 39.0]; Non-Swiss: 26.1% [17.5, 37.1] adjusted p = 0.002 Household status: One person: 29.0% [IQR: 18.5, 40.6]; Two people: 28.1% [19.7, 37.3]; Three people: 28.8% [19.5, 39.7]; Four people and more: 30.2% [21.5, 40.1] adjusted p = 0.400 Education level: Primary & secondary: 29.1% [20.2, 39.7]; Tertiary: 28.4% [19.6, 38.4] adjusted p = 0.060    
UK Lam, 2017 Adjusted beta and 95%CI Gender (Male, Female): 1.31% [95%CI: -0.99, 3.62] Age (continuous): - 0.16% [95%CI: - 0.24, -0.09] Household status: Other adults in household: 0.45% [95%CI: -2.07 to 2.97]; Children in household: 0.54% [-2.18, 3.26] National Statistics Socio-Economic Classification (NS- SEC): Intermediate vs Managerial & professional: -1.05% ([95%CI: -4.11, 2.02]; Routine & manual vs Managerial & professional: 1.52% [95%CI: -1.02, 4.07]        
Madruga, 2022 Adjusted trends over time, p value, p for interaction between linear UPF intake trend and sociodemographic characteristic Gender: Male: p = 0.393; Female: p = 0.983; p for interaction = 0.413 Age: 1-3: p = 0.639; 4-10: p = 0.948; 11-18: p = 0.780; 19-64: p = 0.805 65+: p = 0.278. p for interaction = 0.767 Region: England North: p = 0.258; England Central/Midlands: p = 0.705; England South (including London): p = 0.687; Scotland: p = 0.732; Wales: p = 0.880; Northern Ireland: p = 0.218. p for interaction = 0.645 Occupational Social Class: Routine & manual occupations: p = 0.650; Intermediate occupations: p = 0.481; Higher and lower managerial & professional occupations: p = 0.741. p for interaction = 0.740 Race/ethnicity: White: p = 0.559; Mixed ethnic group: p = 0.691; Black or Black British: p = 0.965; Asian or Asian British: p = 0.322; Other race: 0.803. p for interaction = 0.696      
Adams, 2015 Adjusted mean intake, beta and 95%Cis Gender (Male = reference) Female beta: -1.38 [95%CI: -2.67 to -0.09] Occupational Social Class (Managerial & professional = reference) Intermediate beta: 0.34% [95%CI: -1.12, 1.79]; Routine & manual beta: 1.60% [95%CI: -0.05, 3.26] Age: (Continuous) beta: -0.18% [95%CI: -0.21, -0.14]          
Rauber, 2019 Unadjusted mean, SE and p value Age: 1.5-10: 63.53% (SE:0.34); 11-18: 68.00% (0.4); 19-64: 54.89% (0.35); 65+: 52.98% (0.52); (1.5-10 = reference) all age groups p < 0.001              
Rauber, 2020 Unadjusted mean, SE and p value Gender: Male: 55.9% (SE:0.6); Female: 52.8% (0.4); p < 0.05 Age: 19-29: 59.2% (1.3); 30-59: 54% (0.4); 60+: 51.8% (0.5); p trend < 0.05 Ethnicity: White: 55.4% (SE:0.4); Non-white: 45.4% (1.2); p < 0.05 Region: England North: 56.1% (SE:0.7); England Central/Midlands: 56.6% (1.0); England South (including London): 51.7% (0.6); Scotland: 56.5% (1.1); Wales: 55.0% (1.0); Northern Ireland: 58.7% (0.8); (England North = reference) England South (including London) p < 0.05; Northern Ireland p < 0.05 Social Class Occupation: Routine & manual: 57.3% (SE:0.7); Intermediate: 53.4% (0.8); Lower managerial & professional: 53.8% (0.7); Higher managerial & professional: 50.3% (0.8); linear p-trend < 0.05      
Nascimento, 2021 Unadjusted mean and 95%CI Age: 4-10: 65.7% [95%CI: 64.2, 67.1]; 11-18: 67.1% [65.7, 68.5]; 19+: 54.0% [53.0, 55.0]              
US Kim, 2019 Unadjusted p-value across quintiles of UPF intake Age (continuous) p < 0.001 Gender (Male, Female) p < 0.001 Race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic white, Non-Hispanic black, Mexican American, Other) p < 0.001 Poverty level (<130%, 130-<350%, ≥350%) p < 0.001 Education level (Less than high school, High school, More than high school) p < 0.001      
Juul, 2021 Adjusted trends over time (2001-2 to 2017-18), p-trend values adjusted for multiple comparisons by calculation of false discovery rate q values, and p for interaction between linear UPF intake trend and sociodemographic characteristic Gender over time: Male: p-trend = 0.001; Female: p-trend = 0.002; p for interaction = 0.06 Age over time: 20-39: p-trend = 0.015; 40-59: p-trend = 0.001; 60+: p-trend = 0.001; p for interaction = 0.15 Ethnicity over time: Non-Hispanic white: p-trend = 0.001, Non-Hispanic black: p-trend = 0.001; Hispanic: p-trend = 0.081; p for interaction = 0.31 Education over time: High school degree: p-trend = 0.001, High school graduate: p- trend = 0.013; Some college: p-trend = 0.001; College graduate: p-trend = 0.049; p for interaction = 0.24 Income over time: <130%: p- trend = 0.024, 130-<350%: p-trend = 0.001, ≥350%: p- trend = 0.001; p for interaction = 0.26      
Juul, 2018 Unadjusted p-value across quintiles of UPF intake Gender (Male, Female) p = 0.009 Age (continuous) p < 0.001 Race/Ethnicity (Non-Hispanic white, Non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, Other) p < 0.001 Education level (<9th grade, 9th-11th grade, High school graduate/GED, Some college, College graduate or higher) p < 0.001 Marital status (Married, Separated/divorced/widowe d, Not married) p < 0.001 Family income/poverty ratio (<130%, 130- <350%, ≥350%) p < 0.001    
Baraldi, 2018 Adjusted mean intake and 95%CI, and p value for linear time trend Gender: Male: 58.3% [95%CI: 57.6, 59.0]; Female: 58.8% [58.1, 59.5]; p linear trend across time: Male = 0.0368; Female = 0.1834 Age: 2–9: 65.9% [95%CI: 65.0, 66.8]; 10-19: 66.8% [65.9, 67.7]; 20-39: 59.5% [58.7, 60.3]; 40-59: 55.2% [54.1, 56.4]; 60+: 52.8% [51.9, 53.7]; p linear trend <0.05; p linear trend across time: 2-9 = 0.4518; 10-19 = 0.0128; 20-39 = 0.3529; 40-59 = 0.3821; 60+ = 0.1800 Education: Less than high school: 59.55 [95%CI: 58.4, 60.6]; High school: 59.7% [59.1, 60.3]; College: 55.9% [54.6, 57.2]; p linear trend < 0.05; p linear trend across time: Less than high school = 0.1632; High school = 0.0122; College = 0.4667 Family income/poverty ratio: ≤1.30: 59.6% [95%CI: 58.6, 60.7]; 1.31–3.50: 58.7% [57.8, 59.7]; >3.50: 57.7% [56.9, 58.6]; p linear trend < 0.05; p linear trend across time: ≤1.30 = 0.1910; 1.31-3.50 = 0.0380; >3.50 = 0.2310 Race/ethnicity: Non-Hispanic white: 60.2% [95%CI: 59.4, 60.9]; Non-Hispanic black: 60.6% [59.7, 61.5]; 54.8% [53.2, 56.3]; Mexican-American: 54.8% [53.2, 56.3]; Other Hispanic: 52.0% [50.3, 53.7]; Other: 49.6% [47.3, 51.8]; p linear trend < 0.05; p linear trend across time: Non-Hispanic white = 0.0749; Non-Hispanic black = 0.1512; Mexican-American = 0.0501; Other Hispanic = 0.2563; Other Race = 0.4002      
Steele, 2022 Unadjusted mean, SE and p value Gender: Male: 55.9% (SE:0.6); Female: 55.0% (0.5); p = 0.123 Age: 20-39: 58.9% (SE:0.6) (a); 40-59: 54.6% (0.8) (b); 60+: 52.2% (0.6) (c); p for trend < 0.001 (unlike letters (a-c) are significantly different p < 0.05) Race/ethnicity: Mexican American: 53.6% (SE:0.5) (c); Other Hispanic: 47.6% (1.0) (a); Non-Hispanic white: 57.2% (0.5) (b); Non-Hispanic black: 57.3% (0.8) (b); Other race (including multiracial): 45.1% (1.4) (a); p < 0.001; (unlike letters (a-c) are significantly different p < 0.05) Income:poverty ratio: <1.30: 57.9% (SE:0.7) (a); >1.30–3.50: 56.9% (0.7) (a); >3.50: 53.3% (0.6) (b); Missing: 52.5% (1.3) (b); p < 0.001; (unlike letters (a-b) are significantly different p < 0.05) Education level: <12 years: 55.9% (0.9) (a); 12 years: 59.6% (0.8) (b); >12 years: 54.0% (0.5) (a); p for trend < 0.001; (unlike letters (a-b) are significantly different p < 0.05)      
Yang, 2020 Unadjuated median intake, IQR and p value Gender: Male: 55.0% [IQR: 48.4, 61.7]; Female: 54.8% [47.8, 61.4]; p = 0.325              
Steele, 2020 Unadjusted mean, SE and p value Gender: Male: 58.4% (SE:0.4); Female: 58.2% (0.5); p > 0.05 Age: 6-11: 68.2% (SE:0.5); 12-19: 66.9% (0.7); 20+: 55.9% (0.4); linear p-trend < 0.05 Race/ethnicity: Mexican American: 56.8% (SE:0.5) (a); Other Hispanic: 53.5% (0.9) (b); Non-Hispanic white: 59.6% (0.5) (c); Non-Hispanic black: 61.4% (0.8) (c); Other race (including multiracial): 48.6% (1.0) (d); p < 0.001; (unlike letters (a-d) are significantly different p < 0.05) Family income:poverty ratio: <1.30: 60.5% (SE:0.7) (c); >1.30–3.50: 59.5% (0.7) (bc); >3.50: 56.3% (0.6) (a); Missing: 56.2% (1.2) (ab); p < 0.001; (unlike letters (a-c) are significantly different p < 0.05)        
Zheng, 2020 Unadjusted p-value across quartiles of UPF intake Gender (Male, Female) p = 0.004 Age (20-44, 45-59, 60+) p < 0.001 Race/ethnicity (Hispanic, Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, Non-Hispanic Asian, Other races) p < 0.001 Marital status (Married/Living with partner, Widowed//Divorced/ Separated/Never married) p < 0.001 Education level (< High school, High school, > High school) p < 0.001 Annual family income (< $20000, $20000 to < $45000, $45000 to < $75000, ≥ $75000) p = 0.001    
Steele, 2020 Unadjusted mean, 95%CI and p value; Adjusted mean, 95%CI and p value (place of birth) Gender: Male: 55.3 [95%CI: 54.5, 56.2]; Female: 56.2% [55.3, 57.0] Age: 20-39: 58.1% [95%CI: 57.1, 59.0]; 40-59: 54.9% [53.7, 56.1]; 60+: 53.9% [52.8, 55.0] p for linear trend < 0.001 Family income:poverty ratio: <1.30: 56.9% [95%CI: 55.6, 58.1]; >1.30– 3.50: 56.8% [55.8, 57.9]; >3.50: 54.5% [53.6, 55.4]; Missing: 54.4% [52.3, 56.5], p < 0.001 Education level: <12 years: 55.6% [95%CI: 54.1, 57.0]; 12 years: 58.5% [57.1, 60.0]; >12 years: 54.9% [54.1, 55.8]; p for linear trend = 0.023 Race/ethnicity: Mexican American: 54.0% [95%CI: 53.0, 55.0]; Other Hispanic: 49.1% [47.3, 50.9]; Non-Hispanic White: 57.4% [56.4, 58.3]; Non-Hispanic Black: 59.4% [58.0, 60.8]; Non-Hispanic Asian: 38.3% [36.9, 39.7]; Other race (including multi-racial): 57.5% [54.4, 60.5] Place of birth (adjusted): US-born: 57.9% [95%CI: 57.3, 58.5]; p < 0.001; Foreign-born: 45.4% [44.0, 46.8] p < 0.001    
Pachipala, 2022 Unadjusted mean, 95%CI and p value Race/ethnicity: Non-Hispanic Asian American: 39.3% [95%CI: 38.1, 40.5]; Non-Hispanic White: 57.7% [56.9, 58.5]; Non-Hispanic Black: 60.1% [58.8, 61.3]; Hispanic: 52.7% [51.7, 53.6]; Non-Hispanic Other: 57.7% [55.8, 59.6]; (Non-Hispanic Asian American = reference) all p < 0.01 Gender within ethnicity (Male, Female): (Non-Hispanic Asian American = reference) all p < 0.01 Age within ethnicity (18-24, 25-44, 45-64, ≥65): (Non-Hispanic Asian American = reference) all p < 0.01 Marital status within ethnicity (Married, Separated/divorced/ widowed/Not married): (Non-Hispanic Asian American = reference) all p < 0.01 Education level within ethnicity (<High school, High school graduate/General Equivalency Diploma, Some college, ≥College graduate): (Non-Hispanic Asian American = reference) all p < 0.01 Family income:poverty ratio within ethnicity (<1.30, 1.30-3.49, ≥3.50): (Non-Hispanic Asian American = reference) all p < 0.01    
Buckley, 2019 Unadjusted p-value across quartiles of UPF intake Gender (Male, Female) p = 0.06 Age group (6-12, 12-19, 20+) p < 0.001; Age (continuous), p < 0.001 Race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic white, Non-Hispanic black, Mexican American, Asian American, Other) p < 0.001 Family income:poverty ratio (<1.30, 1.30-3.49, ≥3.50): p = 0.007        
Kim, 2019 Unadjusted p-value across quartiles of UPF intake Gender (Male, Female) p = 0.79 Age group (6-12, 12-19, 20+) p < 0.001; Age (continuous), p < 0.001 Race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic white, Non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, Asian American, Other) p < 0.001 Family income:poverty ratio (<1.30, 1.30-3.49, ≥3.50): p = 0.24        
Multinati onal across Europe (22 countries) Mertens, 2021 Unadjusted mean intake and p value Gender (Male (M); Female (F); p value): Austria: M:31.7%; F: 27.6%; 0.551; Belgium: M: 31.9%; F: 30.2%; 0.972; Croatia: M: 18.5%; F: 19.7%; 0.539; Cyprus: M: 20.3%; F: 21.4%; 0.826; Czech Republic: M: 27.0%; F: 28.2%; 0.619; Denmark: M: 25.3%; F: 24.8%; 0.654; Estonia: M: 17.4%; F: 18.4%; 0.467; Finland: M: 31.0%; F: 32.5%; 0.565; France: M: 28.4%; F: 29.1%; 0.588; Germany: M: 38.0%; F: 38.9%; 0.393; Greece: M: 20.1%; F: 23.7%; 0.311; Hungary: M: 18.0%; F: 17.1%; 0.581; Ireland: M: 31.8%; F: 35.3%; 0.121; Italy: M: 13.0%; F: 13.8%; 0.447; Latvia: M: 32.0%; F: 30.7%; 0.488; The Netherlands: M: 37.0%; F: 37.3%; 0.834; Portugal: M: 19.8%; F: 24.5%; <0.01; Romania: M: 14.6%; F: 15.9%; 0.403; Slovenia: M: 21.7%; F: 23.5%; 0.549; Spain: M: 25.0%; F: 25.3%; 0.947; Sweden: M: 40.6%; F: 43.8%; 0.227; United Kingdom: M: 39.7%; F: 41.3%; 0.369