Diet And Hypertension: A Comparative Analysis Of Four Diet Groups In South-Western Nigeria

Rising burden of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa has been well documented. This study examines the relationship between diet pattern, anthropometry and hypertension in south western Nigeria. Three hundred and ninety seven adults (108 men and 289 women), aged 21 years or older formed the sample size used for this study. The respondents were grouped into four diet classes or groups based upon their dietary habits. These dietary habits include red meat eaters (RME), white meat eaters (WME), lacto-ovo-vegetarians (L-O-V) and vegans (V). A lifestyle questionnaire was administered to respondents to collect their socio-economic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, level of education and income level), their reasons for choosing particular dietary habits, their physical activity levels, and blood pressure status awareness. Anthropometric measurements (body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist- hip ratio and waist- height ratio) and actual blood pressure status (diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure) status were also obtained from each respondent. Diagnosis of hypertension was based on blood pressure of >160/95mmHg. Results showed that the average body mass index (BMI) was highest among the red meat eaters (mean= 25kg/m²) and lowest among the vegans (mean = 21.19kg/m²). There was significant correlation between BMI and blood pressure (BP) levels (diastolic and systolic) in both male and female RME (p<0.01). No significant correlation was observed between the anthropometric measurements and blood pressure in the vegans. The majority of the respondents were not aware of their blood pressure status (RME= 89%, WME= 92%, L-O-V= 85% and V= 93%). However, some of the participants were found to be hypertensive: 13% of males and 9% of females. Based on the reasons given for the choice of dietary habit, economic reasons ranked highest for choice of dietary habit especially among RME (60%). But health and religious reasons were also important factors for dietary pattern among L-O-V and V. Promotion of nutrition education and relevant public health action which focuses on the environmental and nutritional changes was recommended.