Energy Dense Salty Food Consumption Frequency Is Associated with Diastolic Hypertension in Spanish Children

Abstract

High blood pressure (BP) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and sodium consumption is related to high BP. Moreover, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) influence BP. For this reason, we investigated whether: 1) children with risk of elevated BP had a higher consumption frequency (CF) of energy-dense salty foods (EDSF), high-sugary foods (HSF) and SSB or a low DASH score; and 2) children with a higher CF of EDSF showed a worse anthropometric and metabolic profile. Anthropometry, BP and general biochemical parameters were measured in 687 Spanish children (5-16 years) with normal or excess weight. A food frequency questionnaire was used to calculate EDSF, HSF and SSB consumption, and modified DASH score. Results showed that sex and pubertal stage influenced modified DASH score. Diastolic hypertension was associated to higher CF of EDSF in the whole sample and to higher CF of SSB in pubertal children, both independently of nutritional status. In addition, CF of EDSF was positively associated with CF of HSF and SSB and inversely associated with modified DASH score. Targeted policies and intervention programs, specific for different age ranges, should be established that aim to reduce salt consumption from snacks and processed foods, which could reduce HSF and SSB consumption as well.

Dietary Patterns and Their Association with Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Markers in Children and Adolescents: Genobox Cohort

“…In addition, we also find the HC cluster associated with a worse lipid profile specifically in these subgroups, allowing us to suggest that the dietary pattern may less strongly influence a worse cholesterol metabolic profile than type of fat distribution (and physical activity levels) [57]. The SP cluster showed a worse CVD profile, indicated through higher DBP figures, when analyzed in the total population and the normal weight group, in agreement with a previous analysis carried out by our team, which identified a higher DBP in children with a higher consumption frequency of energy dense salty foods [58]. Additionally, the SP cluster was associated with a mainly worse metabolic phenotype through several biochemical indicators, both in the total sample and the age-gender-and BMI-stratified analyses.…”

Changes in Dietary Patterns through a Nutritional Intervention with a Traditional Atlantic Diet: The Galiat Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Dietary intake was assessed using a 93-item food frequency questionnaire based on a Spanish adaptation [25,26] of a previously validated instrument [27][28][29]. Questionnaires were administered at baseline and at 6 months during face-to-face visits with nutritionists to assess food habits during the preceding month.…”

Can the Consumption of Ultra-Processed Food Be Associated with Anthropometric Indicators of Obesity and Blood Pressure in Children 7 to 10 Years Old?

“…It was observed that an increase of one serving/day of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with an increase of 0.8 mmHg in systolic blood pressure (95% CI: 0.4-1.2) and 0.3 (95% CI: 0.0-0.5) mmHg in diastolic blood pressure [28]. Pérez-Gimeno et al [29] observed that diastolic hypertension was associated with a higher frequency of consumption of salty foods (700 mg of sodium/100 g), such as pizza, chips, and sausages, in Spanish children aged 5-16 years, independent of nutritional status.…”