Relationship between local specialty diet and hypertension of rural residents in Hanzhong City

  AIM  To explore the relationship between local specialty diet and hypertension of rural residents in Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province.

  METHODS  A semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire survey of local specialty diet and measurements of blood pressure were conducted in adult residents at the ages of 18-80 years in Hanzhong City. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 18.0 and comparisons of continuous variables were performed with the students’ test and Mann–Whitney U-test. χ² test was performed to test the differences between categorical variables. The association between local specialty diet, food intakes and prevalence of hypertension were respectively evaluated using logistic regression models.

  RESULTS  A total of 3 018 residents (male 34.8% and female 65.2%) were included in this study. The prevalence of hypertension was 37.8% (n = 1 142) and the average age of the subjects was (50±12) years old. The average quantity of consumed sheet jelly or steamed cold noodles, Chinese sauerkraut, soybean products, leafy greens, potatoes and tea were respectively (50±59) g, (44±77) g, (48±66) g, (328±325) g, (71±97) g and (466±929) ml per day. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that there were negative correlations between the prevalence of hypertension and quantity of sheet jelly or steamed cold noodles and potatoes (P < 0.05 each). However, intake of Chinese sauerkraut was positively associated with the prevalence of hypertension (P < 0.05).

  CONCLUSION  There is a certain correlation between the local specialty diet and prevalence of hypertension. Type of food consumption is one of the effective methods to manage hypertension.