An evaluation of the diet and physical activity compliance of elderly hypertensive patients in Isparta city centre: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine factors related to physical activity and dietary compliance in hypertensive elders living in Isparta. Method: This cross-sectional study included a population living in Isparta city aged >65 years with hypertensive symptoms diagnosed at least 3 months ago. A total of 411 patients were included, with an attainment rate of 91.9% according to the sample size. Dependent variables were physical activity and dietary compliance, and independent variables were sociodemographic and hypertension characteristics. Data was collected using face to face interviews. The chi square test, Fisher's exact test, independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, ANOVA, logistic and multiple regression analyses were used for data evaluation. Results: Physical activity compliance was 43.6%, and dietary compliance scores were 5.3 ± 0.9 SD. Physical activity compliance was higher; 3.58 times (p <0.001, 95% CI = 2.18-5.88) in males, 2.01 times (p = 0.004, 95% CI = 1.25-3.23) in patients with regular health checks, 5.84 times (p <0.001, 95% CI = 3.28-10.40) in the group with good/very good health perception, 2.49 times (p = 0.008, 95% CI = 1.26-4.92) in the group with no comorbidities other than hypertension, 2.21 times (p = 0.008, 95% CI = 1.22-3.98) in the group with 1-2 concomitant diseases, 2.10 times (p = 0.013, 95% CI = 1.16-3.79) in the 65-69 age group compared to the 75 years and over group, 2.72 times (p = 0.002, 95% CI = 1.46-5.05) in normal BMI compared to the obese, 2.41 times (p=0.002, 95% CI = 1.37-4.21) in the overweight compared to obese individuals. According to multivariate analysis results, the effects of regular health check-ups (p=0.002) and polypharmacy (p=0.016) variables on dietary compliance are significant.