Empowerment-based nutrition interventions on blood pressure: a randomized comparative effectiveness trial

• Main Authors: André Moreira-Rosário (Author), Shámila Ismael (Author), Inês Barreiros-Mota (Author), Juliana Morais (Author), Catarina Rodrigues (Author), Inês Castela (Author), Inês Curvelo Mendes (Author), Maria Inês Soares (Author), Luís Soares da Costa (Author), Catarina Batista Oliveira (Author), Tiago Henriques (Author), Patrícia Pinto (Author), Débora Pita (Author), Catarina Marques de Oliveira (Author), Janaína Maciel (Author), Thaina Serafim (Author), João Araújo (Author), Júlio César Rocha (Author), Diogo Pestana (Author), Marta P. Silvestre (Author), Cláudia Marques (Author), Ana Faria (Author), Jorge Polonia (Author), Conceição Calhau (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

IntroductionEmpowerment lifestyle programs are needed to reduce the risk of hypertension. Our study compared the effectiveness of two empowerment-based approaches toward blood pressure (BP) reduction: salt reduction-specific program vs. healthy lifestyle general program.MethodsThree hundred and eleven adults (median age of 44 years, IQR 34-54 years) were randomly assigned to a salt reduction (n = 147) or a healthy lifestyle program (n = 164). The outcome measures were urinary sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) excretion, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, weight, and waist circumference.ResultsThere were no significant differences in primary and secondary outcomes between the two program groups. When comparing each program to baseline, the program focused on salt reduction was effective in lowering BP following a 12-week intervention with a mean change of −2.5 mm Hg in SBP (95% CI, −4.1 to −0.8) and − 2.7 mm Hg in DBP (95% CI, −3.8 to −1.5) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. In the complete-case (CC) analysis, the mean change was −2.1 mm Hg in SBP (95% CI, −3.7 to −0.5) and − 2.3 mm Hg in DBP (95% CI, −3.4 to −1.1). This effect increases in subjects with high-normal BP or hypertension [SBP − 7.9 mm Hg (95% CI, −12.5 to −3.3); DBP − 7.3 mm Hg (95% CI, −10.2 to −4.4)]. The healthy lifestyle group also exhibited BP improvements after 12 weeks; however, the changes were less pronounced compared to the salt reduction group and were observed only for DBP [mean change of −1.5 mm Hg (95% CI, −2.6 to −0.4) in ITT analysis and − 1.4 mm Hg (95% CI, −2.4 to −0.3) in CC analysis, relative to baseline]. Overall, improvements in Na+/K+ ratio, weight, and Mediterranean diet adherence resulted in clinically significant SBP decreases. Importantly, BP reduction is attributed to improved dietary quality, rather than being solely linked to changes in the Na+/K+ ratio.ConclusionSalt-focused programs are effective public health tools mainly in managing individuals at high risk of hypertension. Nevertheless, in general, empowerment-based approaches are important strategies for lowering BP, by promoting health literacy that culminates in adherence to the Mediterranean diet and weight reduction.

Item Description

2296-2565
10.3389/fpubh.2023.1277355