Ageing, Arterial Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, and Diet

Abstract

For three decades we followed up for longevity indicators, including diet, arterial blood pressure, and body mass index 379 mobile, long-living persons from Croatia, now aged 70 to 92 years, of whom 167 men aged (78.6±4.0) years and 212 women aged (77.9±4.1) years. One hundred and ninety-fi ve were from the continental and 184 from the coastal Croatia. The participants were examined in 1972, 1982, and again in 2006/7. Changes in body mass index (BMI), arterial blood pressure (ABP), and in answers to our Food Frequency Questionnaire about dietary habits were analysed using log-linear models. Over the last 24 years of aging (age 55 to 78 years) the subjects showed a statistically signifi cant decrease in body mass and height and a signifi cant increase in the systolic blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure and BMI showed no signifi cant changes over this period. Consumption of preserved and fresh meat, bread, and starch (potato, pastry and rice) dropped signifi cantly with age, while the consumption of fi sh, fresh and cooked vegetables, fruit, and dairy products signifi cantly increased. These dietary changes were not associated with changes in the systolic and diastolic ABP. About 80 % were overweight (BMI >25 kg m -2 ) throughout the follow-up, even though their body mass dropped signifi cantly after the age of 55. However, their survival suggests that BMI may not be the best indicator of longevity or healthy aging.

Hypertension and undiagnosed hypertension among Bangladeshi adults: Identifying prevalence and associated factors using a nationwide survey

“…Hypertension is common in elderly people, and undiagnosed hypertension increases with age. In line with earlier research, our data showed that the risk of undetected hypertension was high among older person ( 33 – 35 ). Overall prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among men and women was similar.…”

“…But men over the age of 50 were more likely than women of the same age to have undiagnosed hypertension, which may indicate that older men had lower levels of awareness, and/or participation in early detection initiatives. This is in line with the findings of a study that found older males were less likely to be aware of their hypertension diagnosis, receive treatment for it, or have it under control than women of the same age ( 35 ).…”

The Effect of Low Sodium Diet Education in the Prevention of Hospital Readmission for Heart Failure Patients

“…BMI was also observed to be independently associated with age among males in northeast India by Mungreiphy, Kapoor, and Sinha (2011 was statistically significant between all age groups except for 40-49 yr and 50-59 yr age groups (Mungreiphy et al, 2011). Studies by Pavlovic, Milkovic-Kraus, Jovanovic, and Hercigonja-Szekeres (2012) and Guo, Zeller, Chumlea, and Siervogel (1999) also support age related decreases in BMI.…”