R Rosário1, R Santos2, L Lopes3, C Agostinis-Sobrinho4, C Moreira3, J Mota3, S Póvoas5, A Oliveira3, P Padrão6, P Moreira7, S Abreu8. 1. School of Nursing, University of Minho, Portugal; Health Sciences Research Unit-Nursing, Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: rrosario@uminho.pt. 2. Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Portugal; Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Education, University of Wollongong, Australia. 3. Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Portugal. 4. Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Portugal; Faculty of health Sciences, Klaipeda University, Lithuania; Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Dance, Federal University of the South of Brazil, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 5. Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, University Institute of Maia, ISMAI, Maia, Portugal. 6. Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal; Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Portugal. 7. Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal; Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Portugal. 8. Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Portugal; Universidade Lusófona do Porto, Portugal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and high blood pressure among adults are well studied. Nonetheless, data on the influence of a low consumption of fruit and vegetables on cardiovascular disease risk, particularly blood pressure, among healthy adolescents are scarce. Therefore, we aim to analyse the associations between fruit and/or vegetable intake and blood pressure over a two-year period in healthy adolescents. METHODS AND RESULTS: As part of a cohort, 606 adolescents from the LabMed Physical Activity study were evaluated in 2011 (baseline) and 2013 (follow-up). Blood pressure was measured according to standardized procedures and fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric variables, socioeconomic status, pubertal stage and lifestyle determinants were gathered and used as confounders. Prospective associations between fruit and/or vegetable intake and blood pressure were examined using generalized linear models. Girls who consumed more fruit at baseline had a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure at follow-up [unstandardized beta: -0.005 mmHg (95%CI: -0.01; -0.0002) (p = 0.038)]. CONCLUSION: In apparently healthy adolescents, fruit intake may already start to have an effect in blood pressure. Girls who consumed more fruit exhibited lower levels of diastolic blood pressure.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and high blood pressure among adults are well studied. Nonetheless, data on the influence of a low consumption of fruit and vegetables on cardiovascular disease risk, particularly blood pressure, among healthy adolescents are scarce. Therefore, we aim to analyse the associations between fruit and/or vegetable intake and blood pressure over a two-year period in healthy adolescents. METHODS AND RESULTS: As part of a cohort, 606 adolescents from the LabMed Physical Activity study were evaluated in 2011 (baseline) and 2013 (follow-up). Blood pressure was measured according to standardized procedures and fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric variables, socioeconomic status, pubertal stage and lifestyle determinants were gathered and used as confounders. Prospective associations between fruit and/or vegetable intake and blood pressure were examined using generalized linear models. Girls who consumed more fruit at baseline had a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure at follow-up [unstandardized beta: -0.005 mmHg (95%CI: -0.01; -0.0002) (p = 0.038)]. CONCLUSION: In apparently healthy adolescents, fruit intake may already start to have an effect in blood pressure. Girls who consumed more fruit exhibited lower levels of diastolic blood pressure.