Diet quality is associated with reduced risk of hypertension among Inner Mongolia adults in northern China.

Objective: The present study investigated the association between dietary patterns and hypertension applying the Chinese Dietary Balance Index-07 (DBI-07).

Design: A cross-sectional study on adult nutrition and chronic disease in Inner Mongolia. Dietary data were collected using 24 h recall over three consecutive days and weighing method. Dietary patterns were identified using principal components analysis. Generalized linear models and multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between DBI-07 and dietary patterns, and between dietary patterns and hypertension.

Setting: Inner Mongolia (n 1861).

Participants: A representative sample of adults aged ≥18 years in Inner Mongolia.

Results: Four major dietary patterns were identified: 'high protein', 'traditional northern', 'modern' and 'condiments'. Generalized linear models showed higher factor scores in the 'high protein' pattern were associated with lower DBI-07 (βLBS = -1·993, βHBS = -0·206, βDQD = -2·199; all P < 0·001); the opposite in the 'condiments' pattern (βLBS = 0·967, βHBS = 0·751, βDQD = 1·718; all P < 0·001). OR for hypertension in the highest quartile of the 'high protein' pattern compared with the lowest was 0·374 (95 % CI 0·244, 0·573; Ptrend < 0·001) in males. OR for hypertension in the 'condiments' pattern was 1·663 (95 % CI 1·113, 2·483; Ptrend < 0·001) in males, 1·788 (95 % CI 1·155, 2·766; Ptrend < 0·001) in females.

Conclusions: Our findings suggested a higher-quality dietary pattern evaluated by DBI-07 was related to decreased risk for hypertension, whereas a lower-quality dietary pattern was related to increased risk for hypertension in Inner Mongolia.