The effects of age, gender, obesity, health habits, and vegetable consumption frequency on hypertension in elderly chinese americans

Authors: Tam, CF; Nguyen, L; Pe, SS; Hajyan, K; Kevork, S; Davis, R; Poon, G; Lew, P
Title: Source: NUTRITION RESEARCH, 25 (1): 31-43 JAN 2005
Keywords: elderly Chinese Americans; hypertension; vegetable consumption frequency; alcohol consumption; cigarette smoking; tea consumption
KeyWords Plus: BLOOD-PRESSURE; DIETARY PATTERNS; DOUBLE-BLIND; DASH TRIAL
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of age, gender, obesity, consumption frequency of selected vegetables, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and tea consumption on the prevalence rate (PR) of hypertension in elderly Chinese Americans. Hypertension is defined as having a systolic blood pressure (SBP) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than or equal to140 mm Hg and greater than or equal to90 mm Hg, respectively. A total of 205 subjects were recruited in the Chinatown section of Los Angeles, CA. Hypertension was more prevalent in the oldest age groups for both sexes (45.1%), and the percentage of hypertension for men was lower than those of female counterparts (47% vs. 53%, respectively). The percentage of lean (body mass index [BMI] 27 kg/m(2)) hypertensive subjects in group 1 (50-64 years), group 2 (65-74 years), and group 3 (greater than or equal to75 years) (32%,24%, and 26%; vs. 3%, 11%, and 13%, respectively). The overall percentage of obese hypertensive subjects was higher in women than those of their male counterparts (13% vs. 6%, respectively) and increased substantially with age as well. In conclusion, age and gender (particularly in lean men and obese women), were the greater risk factors for the development of hypertension. (C) 2005 Published by Elsevier Inc.
Reprints: TAM CF,COLL HLTH & HUMAN SERV,DEPT KINESIOL & NUTR SCI;5151 STATE UNIV DR; LOS ANGELES CA 90032, USA.
[email protected]
Research
Institutions: Coll Hlth & Human Serv, Dept Kinesiol & Nutr Sci, Los Angeles, CA 90032 USA.
Calif State Univ Los Angeles, Dept Art, Sch Arts & Letters, Los Angeles, CA 90032 USA.
Chinatown Senior Citizen Serv Ctr, Los Angeles, CA 90032 USA.
Discipline: ENDOCRINOLOGY, NUTRITION & METABOLISM

CC Editions / Collections: Life Sciences (LS)