The Claim
Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, including fast food, sugary drinks, salty snacks, and sweet snacks, is associated with significantly lower scores on a multidimensional sustainable lifestyle index among adults in Latin American and Spanish countries, with daily fast food consumers having 2.5 times greater odds of being in the least sustainable lifestyle quartile compared to non-consumers.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
People who eat more ultra-processed foods, such as fast food and sugary snacks, have lower scores on a sustainable lifestyle index than those who eat less of these foods, and daily fast food eaters are 2.5 times more likely to be in the least sustainable group.
See the scientific wording
Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods—including fast food, sugary drinks, salty snacks, and sweet snacks—is associated with significantly lower scores on a multidimensional sustainable lifestyle index across 6,009 adults in 14 Latin American and Spanish countries, with daily consumers of fast food having 2.5 times greater odds of being in the least sustainable lifestyle quartile compared to non-consumers.
Eating lots of ultra-processed foods alters brain signaling related to reward and time regulation, making people more likely to choose immediate comforts like driving or buying packaged goods instead of walking or using reusable items.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods and Sustainable Lifestyles: A Multicenter Study
People who eat a lot of fast food, sugary drinks, and snacks are much more likely to have lifestyle habits that harm the environment and society, like using too much plastic or driving instead of walking. The study found this link clearly in thousands of people across Latin America and Spain.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.