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Nutrients
Volume 17
Issue 23
10.3390/nu17233651
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Article

Ultra-Processed Foods Consumption, Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Sociodemographic Correlates in an Italian Adult Population: The UFO Survey

by
Emilia Ruggiero
1,
Monica Dinu
2,*,
Donato Angelino
3,
Giuseppe Di Costanzo
1,
Simona Esposito
4,
Justyna Godos
5,6,
Giuseppe Grosso
5,6,
Sofia Lotti
2,
Daniela Martini
7,
Marilena Vitale
8,
Alice Rosi
9 and
Marialaura Bonaccio
1
1
Research Unit of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS NEUROMED—Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
2
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
3
Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
4
Department of Medicine and Surgery, LUM University, 70010 Casamassima, Italy
5
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
6
Center for Human Nutrition and Mediterranean Foods (NUTREA), University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
7
Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
8
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, “Federico II” University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
9
Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Nutrients 2025, 17(23), 3651; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17233651
Submission received: 13 October 2025 / Revised: 18 November 2025 / Accepted: 20 November 2025 / Published: 21 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods and Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background: Although national surveys report increasing ultra-processed foods (UPFs) consumption, updated estimates for Italy are lacking. Given the central role of the Mediterranean Diet (MD), understanding how UPFs contribute to the contemporary Italian diet is essential. This study quantified UPF intake in a convenience sample of Italian adults and examined its main sociodemographic correlates, including MD adherence. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among Italian adults (≥18 years). Dietary intake was assessed using the validated 94-item NOVA Food Frequency Questionnaire (NFFQ). Associations between sociodemographic factors and NOVA food groups were evaluated using multivariable-adjusted linear regression, expressed as beta coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). MD adherence was assessed using the Medi-Lite score. Results: Data from 1629 participants (79.8% women; mean age 42.1 years, range 18–85) recruited between September 2021 and April 2025 were analyzed. Participants resided in Northern (23.4%), Central (40.4%), and Southern Italy (36.2%). UPFs contributed 20.0% (95% CI: 19.5–20.6) of total energy intake, while unprocessed/minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, and processed foods accounted for 39.2%, 9.0%, and 31.8%, respectively. UPF consumption decreased with age (β = −3.34; 95% CI: −5.96 to −0.72 for >64 vs. ≤40 years) and was lower in Central (β = −2.92; 95% CI: −4.31 to −1.53) and Southern Italy (β = −1.51; 95% CI: −3.01 to −0.01) compared to the North. UPF intake showed an inverse linear association with MD adherence. Conclusions: UPFs contribute a modest share of total energy intake among Italian adults, consistent with other Mediterranean populations. Although based on a convenience sample, these findings highlight the relevance of the MD as a dietary model naturally limiting UPF consumption and provide updated evidence on UPF intake and its correlates in Italy.
Keywords: ultra-processed foods; NOVA classification; Italian population; epidemiology; public health nutrition ultra-processed foods; NOVA classification; Italian population; epidemiology; public health nutrition

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ruggiero, E.; Dinu, M.; Angelino, D.; Di Costanzo, G.; Esposito, S.; Godos, J.; Grosso, G.; Lotti, S.; Martini, D.; Vitale, M.; et al. Ultra-Processed Foods Consumption, Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Sociodemographic Correlates in an Italian Adult Population: The UFO Survey. Nutrients 2025, 17, 3651. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17233651

AMA Style

Ruggiero E, Dinu M, Angelino D, Di Costanzo G, Esposito S, Godos J, Grosso G, Lotti S, Martini D, Vitale M, et al. Ultra-Processed Foods Consumption, Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Sociodemographic Correlates in an Italian Adult Population: The UFO Survey. Nutrients. 2025; 17(23):3651. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17233651

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ruggiero, Emilia, Monica Dinu, Donato Angelino, Giuseppe Di Costanzo, Simona Esposito, Justyna Godos, Giuseppe Grosso, Sofia Lotti, Daniela Martini, Marilena Vitale, and et al. 2025. "Ultra-Processed Foods Consumption, Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Sociodemographic Correlates in an Italian Adult Population: The UFO Survey" Nutrients 17, no. 23: 3651. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17233651

APA Style

Ruggiero, E., Dinu, M., Angelino, D., Di Costanzo, G., Esposito, S., Godos, J., Grosso, G., Lotti, S., Martini, D., Vitale, M., Rosi, A., & Bonaccio, M. (2025). Ultra-Processed Foods Consumption, Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Sociodemographic Correlates in an Italian Adult Population: The UFO Survey. Nutrients, 17(23), 3651. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17233651

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