Abstract
ObjectiveIncreased blood pressure (BP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults. Regular consumption of nuts may improve some BP in adults whereas evidence in children is relatively lacking. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of nuts intake on BP in children.MethodsStratified cluster sampling was performed to include a total of 15,268 primary school children aged 6–12 years in urban and rural areas in Southwest China. The daily nuts intake dosage was collected by questionnaires, and generalized linear model (GLM) and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between nuts intake and BP.ResultsFor the total subjects, 11,130 (72.9%) participants consumed <35 g/day of nuts, 1,145 (7.5%) participants consumed 35 g/day ≤ nut <50 g/day of nuts, 2,053 (13.4%) participants consumed 50~100 g/day of nuts, and 940 (6.2%) participants consumed over 100 g/day of nut. For sex subgroup, 1,074 (13.53%) boys and 979 (13.35%) girls consumed 50~100 g/day of nuts. Compared with the 50~100 g/day of nuts intake group, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were significantly different in <35 g/day, 35g/day ≤ nut <50 g/day, and >100 g/day nuts intake groups (all p < 0.001). The logistic regression showed that compared with the 50~100 g/day group, the other three groups are more likely associated with childhood hypertension (all p < 0.001). Therefore, a U-shaped relationship between nuts intake and BP level was identified.ConclusionsThe finding suggests that intake of 50~100 g/day nuts is the recommended dose of nuts intake to control childhood hypertension, as well as for cardioprotection purposes.
Highlights
Childhood hypertension is a concerning public health issue worldwide [1]
The logistic regression showed that compared with the 50∼100 g/day group, the other three groups are more likely associated with childhood hypertension
It is generally accepted that dietary factors, such as salt intake can modulate blood pressure (BP), studies concerning the effects of nut intake on BP are limited, in children and adolescents
Summary
Childhood hypertension is a concerning public health issue worldwide [1]. It is estimated there is a prevalence of 2–4% childhood hypertension based on the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) [2]. Childhood hypertension results in significant end-organ damage, which in turn may lead to significant cardiovascular diseases (CVD) later on in life. The end organ damage in the form of cardiac structural changes, which is a consequence of hypertension, can be present in adolescent and early adult life [5,6,7]. It is generally accepted that dietary factors, such as salt intake can modulate BP, studies concerning the effects of nut intake on BP are limited, in children and adolescents
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