Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #104608

Kun (Sue) Gao, PhD candidate, Dept of Health Services, Univ. of Washington, Box 357660, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, 650--7434731, suekgao@u.washington.edu, Bruce Psaty, MD, PhD, Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, University of Washington, Campus Box 358080, Seattle, WA 98195, Holly Kramer, MD, MPH, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Loyola University, 2160 S. First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, and Annette L. Fitzpatrick, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Building 29, Suite 310, 6200 NE 74th Street, Seattle, WA 98115.

OBJECTIVES JNC guidelines recommend dietary modifications for adults with pre-hypertension and hypertension, including reduced fat, cholesterol and sodium intake and boosted protein, fiber and minerals intake. This study compared intake of specific nutrients with guideline recommendations.

STUDY DESIGN This cross-sectional analysis of the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) cohort assessed 6,236 adults aged 45-84 of White, African-American, Hispanic, and Chinese ethnicities. Nutrients were calculated using self-reported dietary assessment. Mean nutrient intake and percentage of adults meeting each JNC target were calculated. Differences by ethnicity and hypertension status were tested using Chi-square tests or ANOVA-Scheffe. Unconditional logistic regressions evaluated associations between nutrient adherence and ethnicity and hypertension status while controlling for demographics and comorbidities.

FINDINGS Less than 40% participants were adherent to any nutrient target except sodium. Adherence was lowest for saturated fat (5.3%) and greatest for sodium (61.4%). Ethnic differences were found for intake of all nutrients (p< .004). Differences by hypertension status were found for protein (p=.048), calcium (p=.003) and sodium (p=.000). In multivariate analyses, compared to Caucasians, African-Americans (OR=0.746,p=.003), Hispanic (OR=0.674,p=.003) and Chinese (OR=0.408,p=.000) all had lower adherence for total fat. Chinese had better sodium adherence (OR=1.874,p=.000). Hispanics were less likely to adhere to the sodium target (OR=0.826,p=.045) and African-Americans to the cholesterol target (OR=0.794,p=.006). Diagnosed hypertension was significantly associated with sodium adherence (OR=1.228,p=.005) and saturated fat adherence (OR=1.354,p=.045)

CONCLUSIONS Dietary patterns differed by ethnicity after adjustment for other factors. Diagnosed hypertension was associated with better sodium and saturated fat adherence but not others JNC targets.

Learning Objectives:

• Compare the nutritional intake of the general population to the JNC hypertension dietary management guidelines (DASH eating plan)
• Assess ethnic differences in adherence to JNC dietary guidelines
• Identify vulnerable subpopulations that are in greater need for dietary behavior change.

Keywords: Nutrition, Hypertension

Related Web page: www.mesa-nhlbi.org/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF I am working as a research assistant on an NHLBI grant..