Gender Differences in the Association between Dietary Pattern and the Incidence of Hypertension in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Sujin Song,Jihye Kim,Jiwon Kim

doi:10.3390/nu10020252

Abstract

We examined gender differences in the association between dietary patterns and the risk of hypertension, using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study data. A total of 5090 participants (2457 men and 2633 women) aged 40–69 years without hypertension at baseline were selected. Dietary patterns were obtained using factor analysis based on 26 food groups, evaluated by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg, or the use of antihypertensive medication using the biennial measurements. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the associations between dietary patterns and hypertension. Four dietary patterns were extracted: coffee, fat, and sweets; prudent; whole grains and legumes; and traditional (men)/Western (women). Women in the highest tertile of the whole grains and legumes pattern scores showed a lower risk of incident hypertension compared with those in the lowest tertile (hazard ratio = 0.77, 95% confidence interval = 0.59–1.00, p-trend = 0.048). Other dietary patterns were not associated with hypertension in either men or women. A diet rich in whole grains and legumes is inversely associated with the risk of hypertension in Korean women, suggesting a gender difference in the association between diet and hypertension.

Highlights

Hypertension is a major public health issue worldwide [1], and it is closely associated with increased risks of morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular and kidney diseases [1,2]
A Western-style dietary pattern, which consists of refined grains, red/processed meat, and high fat foods, has been associated with an increased risk of hypertension [8,9,10]
The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study is a prospective, community-based cohort study, which has been conducted to explore lifestyle and genetic risk factors associated with chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, in Koreans

Summary

Introduction

Hypertension is a major public health issue worldwide [1], and it is closely associated with increased risks of morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular and kidney diseases [1,2]. A prudent dietary pattern has shown an inverse association with elevated blood pressure. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating pattern, which emphasizes higher consumption of whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, and lower consumption of fat, sweets, and refined grains, has been shown to have a favorable effect on blood pressure in epidemiologic studies [4,5,6,7]. A Western-style dietary pattern, which consists of refined grains, red/processed meat, and high fat foods, has been associated with an increased risk of hypertension [8,9,10]

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