Relationship Between Dietary Intakes and Elevated Diastolic Blood Pressure Among Children: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Wearable Devices.

Background: Elevating systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) independently influences clinical outcomes and adverse cardiovascular events. Blood pressure can be affected by modifiable (such as diets and physical activities) and non-modifiable factors (such as age and gender). Elevated blood pressure (EBP or formerly prehypertension) during childhood is associated with hypertension incidence in later adulthood.

Objectives: This cross- sectional study investigated modifiable risk factors for blood pressure among children (aged 3-12).

Methods: We employed wearable devices to monitor the blood pressure of 45 preschool and primary school children and analyze this data with secondary blood pressure data of their parents from electronic medical records.

Results: EBP phenotypes in children (offspring) were not related to their parent's blood pressure phenotypes (P = 0.15 and 0.19 for SBP). Consumption of high saturated fat (P = 0.032), copper (P = 0.026), and vitamin B12 (P = 0.032) was associated with a significant increase in DBP. Daily sodium intakes between normal and DBP hypertensive groups were not significantly different (P = 0.75).

Conclusion: This study indicates that dietary intakes of high saturated fat, copper, and vitamin B12, but not parental blood pressure statuses, determine high diastolic blood pressure among children regardless of daily sodium intake. Early dietary consumption behavioral adaptation should be considered to prevent further hypertension in adulthood.