February 2015 Vol. 3 No. 2

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Original Research Article

Nutritional Status and Diet Intake among Hypertensive Palestinians in Gaza Strip

Abed Yehia^1*, Abu-Haddaf Seham² and Jamee Amal³

¹School of Public Health - Al- Quds University Jerusalem, Gaza, Palestine
²General Administration of Pharmacy, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Gaza, Palestine
³AL Shifa Hospital, Cardiology department, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Gaza, Palestine

*Corresponding Author's E-mail: yabed333@yahoo.com

Accepted January 06, 2015

Abstract

The main objective of our study is to examine the associations between hypertension and both nutritional status and dietary intake. A case control study was conducted at Primary Health Care centers in Gaza Strip. A proportional systematic random sample of 120 cases matched with sex, and locality to 120 healthy controls attended adult screening clinics. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires included socio-demographic characteristics and food frequency intakes. Anthropometric measurements and physical examination were abstracted from the clinic files. Collected data was entered and analyzed using SPSS V20. Patients with Hypertension are older, more in lower socioeconomic and more obese. Cases and controls were similar in following diet regimen; even control reported more frequent food regimens than cases (65.1% vs. 44%). Patients with hypertension were similar to controls in percentage of intake for milk products, white meat, eggs, fish, vegetables, grains, sweets and tea – coffee drinks. Cases presented higher frequent consumption of fruits (50.8% vs. 22.5%), and soft drinks (36.7% vs. 16.7 %). These associations reached a statistical significant level (P <0.001). Cases were less frequently consumed lean red meat trimmed from visible fat (80.8% for cases vs. 97.5% for controls) and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). When adjusting for socio-demographic variables low intake of fruit, legumes, lean red meat trimmed from visible fat, and high intake of fried food and soft drink were positively associated with hypertension. We recommend raising the public awareness towards following food based dietary guidelines to ensure hypertension control.

Keywords: Diet Intake, Gaza – Palestine, Hypertension, Nutritional Status