Assessment of nutritional statais, food habits and selected hematological tests of interns faculty of nursing, assiut university and their relation to blood pressure

Abstract EN

The prevalence of hypertension is approximately three times higher for obese Than for non-obese.

Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure increase with body mass index (BMI) and obese individuals are at a higher risk of developing hypertension than are lean subjects.

This study was conducted at Assiut University Hospitals on nursing interns in the year 2004.

This study was conducted in an attempt to: I) determine the relation between BMI and food habits of nursing interns, Assiut University Hospitals.

2) Determine the relationship between blood pressure and serum sodium, potassium, food habits and BMI.

3) Determine the percentage of anemia among them.

102 nursing interns were included in this study.

They were interviewed using a questionnaire containing information on age, residence and their dietary habits and some attitudes.

Anthropometric measurements included weight and height to assess the body mass index.

Blood pressure was measured for each subject.

Blood sample was also withdrawn after written consents to perform blood picture and serum sodium and potassium as well as random serum glucose level.

Data was computerized and statistically analyzed using SPSS program Version 9.

This study revealed that 12.7% of nursing interns were under weight, 19.6% were overweight and 5.9% were class I -obese.

There was a statistically significant relation between BMI and snacks, soft drink intake and energy food intake.

A high statistically significant relationship between the attitudes and the BMI was found.

26.5% of the nursing interns were hypertensive and 4.9% were hypertensive f(4 nursing interns were having mild hypertension (stage 1) and one was severely hypertensive (stage 3)].

It also revealed that 69.6% were using pickles and spices, 16.9% of them were using heavy salt pickles and the relation between using heavy salt pickles and blood pressure was statistically significant.

It was also found a statistically significant relation between serum sodium, serum potassium and blood pressure.

A statistically significant relation was detected between BMI and blood pressure, as 25.9% and 66.7%> of hypertensive nursing interns were under and normal weight, while 60% and 20% of hypertensive were overweight and obese.

More than half of nursing interns (55.9%) were anemic.

6.9%, 14.7% and 34.3% had hemoglobin level <10, 10- and 1I-<12 g/dL respectively.

Random serum glucose was within normal in 95.1% of them and ranged from 3.4 to <7 m.mol/L while 4.9% of the studied sample were potentially diabetic as the random serum glucose ranged between 7-8 m.mol/L.

We recommended with intervention nutritional health education program to improve the nutritional status of them.

Proper amounts of carbohydrate consumption control the snacks between meals and soft drink will help to reduce the overweight and obesity and consequently the blood pressure.

Low salt dietary habits to decrease the risk of hypertension.

Implement the diets rich in fruits and vegetables, which are considered protective group.