Physical activity, dietary habits and blood pressure of hypertensive patients in Phutthamonthon District, Nakorn Pathom Province, Thailand

Abstract

        Hypertension is an important and major risk factor of many diseases and is rapidly emerging as a major public health problem in developing countries, including Thailand. This hospital based cross sectional study of 153 hypertensive patients aged forty five years and above was conducted at the Phutthamonthon District Hospital in Thailand. The research objective was to ascertain the extent and nature of physical activity of hypertensive patients and their dietary habits, and to examine the relationship of these behavioral factors with hypertension.

        This research revealed that the majority of patients were leading sedentary lifestyles and consuming unhealthy diets. Lifestyle related risk factors, particularly excess body weight and low levels of physical activity, were evident in hypertensive patients. A statistically significant negative (inverse) linear relationship was found between vegetable consumption and diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.185, p < 0.05). Although the study found no significant relationships between physical activity or other dietary habits, and hypertension, about 70% of participants reported adding salt to cooked food whereas 94% of them added fat to cooked food.

         In a Thai population living at Phutthamonthon district, a high vegetable intake is inversely associated with blood pressure level.