Trends in dietary intake and their relationship with blood pressure in preschoolers in the city of Córdoba, 2014-2018

Abstract

Intake patterns begin to set in during early childhood and have become consolidated before the end of the first decade, continuing in large measure into adulthood. The relationship between hypertension and diet is well-known, which is why serial control of blood pressure as from infancy and nutrition education help to prevent hypertension during adulthood.

The aim of this study was to relate trends in dietary intake (DI) and blood pressure (BP) in children from a public kindergarten in the City of Cordoba within the framework of a community intervention between 2014 and 2018.

Observational, correlational, and retrospective study. DI (frequency of consumption) and BP were valued in 411 children in a public kindergarten through secondary sources within the framework of a research-action project. A difference proportions test was conducted for the consumption of different food groups based on year of intervention, BP and sex, and a t test for systolic and diastolic BP according to age, year of intervention and adequate dietary intake, with a 95% confidence level.

A growing trend of normal BP became evident in the total population, and upon stratifying by age and sex this trend was maintained significantly among 4- and 5-year-olds and among boys. A growing trend was observed towards adequate intake of all food groups; with the exception of fruit and vegetables, these differences were significant for the consumption of snacks. Significant differences were encountered in the systolic and/or diastolic BP according to the consumption of candies and snack.

The improvement in the values of BP and dietary intake as of an intersectoral health intervention show the importance of a holistic and integrated approach during preschool, understanding health as a process which considers human beings in their vital space, their historical time and their culture.