Not many follow anti-hypertension diet

HATTIESBURG, Miss., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Less than 20 percent of U.S. adults with high blood pressure eat foods that align with government guidelines for controlling hypertension, a study found.

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, known as the DASH trial, found a diet high in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products could significantly lower blood pressure. All with hypertension are advised to follow the DASH diet.

Dr. Philip B. Mellen of the Hattiesburg Clinic in Hattiesburg, Miss., and colleagues analyzed U.S. government data of men and women who were interviewed to obtain demographic and socioeconomic information and diet history. DASH scores ranging from zero to nine were calculated and those who scored a 4.5 or higher were considered to be following the diet.

The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found among individuals surveyed from 1999 to 2004, 28 percent had been diagnosed with hypertension. Of these individuals, 19.4 percent followed the DASH diet.

DASH scores were lowest among young people, African-Americans and those with a body mass index of 30 or higher, Mellen said.