Ultra-processed food consumption and frailty in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Frailty is an age-related syndrome characterized by biological dysfunction and reduced physiological reserve in response to stressors. Its prevalence is increasing as the population ages, resulting in a substantial health burden due to adverse health outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and the risk of frailty in older adults.

This study systematically searched PubMed and Web of Science for all relevant studies published up to January 2026. Random-effects models were employed to analyze the pooled effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals. Ten observational studies involving 105,327 participants, comprising six prospective and four cross-sectional studies, were included in the systematic review. Of these, six studies were eligible for meta-analysis, including 22,821 participants.

Six of the 10 studies adjusted for total energy intake, and three adjusted for macronutrient intake. Meta-analysis showed that higher consumption of UPFs was significantly associated with an increased risk of frailty (pooled OR = 1.43, 95% confidence interval [1.02, 2.005], p = .041). Narrative synthesis further supported a positive association between UPF intake and frailty.

Our findings suggest that higher consumption of UPFs may increase the risk of frailty, potentially through inflammatory pathways. However, given the high heterogeneity, the results should be interpreted with caution. Overall, our findings suggest that reducing UPF consumption may be a promising target for public health strategies to prevent frailty in aging populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).