Maintaining healthy weight throughout life prevents increase in
BP with age
Dr KK Aggarwal
Maintaining a healthy body weight throughout life has been identified as
the most important factor that maintains blood pressure (BP) at optimum levels
and prevents increase in BP from young adulthood into middle age, according to
a new research presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Council on
Hypertension, AHA Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease, American Society
of Hypertension Joint Scientific Sessions 2017 in San Francisco.
The 25-year follow-up study evaluated more than 4500 subjects of the
Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study, who were 18 to 30 years
old in 1985 and 1986, when the study began and examined the effect of five
health behaviors on blood pressure levels.
1.
Healthy
body weight (body mass index less than 25 kg/m2)
2.
Never
smoking
3.
Zero
to seven alcoholic drinks per week for women and zero to 14 for men
4.
Moderate
to vigorous physical activity for 150 min or more every week
5.
Eating
a healthy diet, based on adhering to the Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension eating plan
Those who maintained optimal body weight were 41% less likely to have an
increasing BP as they aged, while no changes in BP were observed with
maintaining physical activity or a healthy diet. Never smoking and maintaining
no or moderate alcohol consumption were associated with less of an increase in
blood pressure by middle age. The other behaviors studied influence body weight
and also
have clear benefits for overall cardiovascular health. Hence, they may
have a role in maintaining healthy BP levels.
The study participants who maintained at least four health behaviors had
27% greater probability to have a normal BP than an increasing BP from early
adulthood through middle age.
Hypertension is the most common modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular
disease. The association of high BP with heart disease, stroke, kidney disease,
overweight/obesity and diabetes is well-recognized.
I strongly believe in the age-old saying 'prevention is better than cure'.
And, this study once again reiterates the importance of prevention as a
strategy to check the rising prevalence of high BP. Preventive efforts for
lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and
osteoporosis should start at a young age.
Any weight gain after puberty is invariably due to fat. Though the overall
weight can be in the acceptable normal range but any weight gain within that
range will be abnormal for that person. Therefore, any individual who gains
weight of more than 5 kg after the age of 18 years in girls and 20 years in
boys is obese and overweight. Any weight gain at this age should be avoided.
(Source: AHA Press Release, September 14, 2017)
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