Physical activity, dietary practices and nutrition status of hypertensive patients attending Kiambu District Hospital, Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Globally, uncontrolled hypertension is a health priority since it raises the risk for the onset of renal failure, heart disease and diabetes. Hypertension complications contribute to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Optimal blood pressure can be achieved by putting in place strategies that encourage routine physical activity engagement and intake of health diets among hypertensive patients. Patient related factors which include unhealthy dietary practices, poor nutrition status and physical inactivity have been identified to be main hindrances in hypertension management. Minimal information exists on the relationship between dietary practices, physical activity and nutrition status among hypertensive patients. These causes are researched and documented in developed countries but not in developing countries. This research aimed at determining the dietary practices, physical activity level and nutrition status of hypertensive patients in a developing country set up to fill this research gap. Cross-sectional analytical research design was adopted; the respondents were selected using systematic random sampling method. The study was conducted on a sample of 134 hypertensive patients attending Kiambu District Hospital in Kiambu County. Dietary practices were established by use of a 24-hour dietary recall and a seven day food frequency questionnaire. The World Health Organisation global physical activity questionnaire was used to measure the physical activity level. Anthropometric parameters were used to assess the nutrition status. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect demographic and socio-economic status data. Data analysis was done by use of statistical package for the social science. The respondent’s dietary practices, physical activity level, nutrition status, demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the study population were described by use of descriptive statistics. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between categorical variables like demographic, socioeconomic status and dietary practices and nutrition status. The relationship between non-categorical variables including physical activity level, dietary practices and nutrition status was determined by use of Pearson correlation test. A p-value of <0.05 was used as a criterion for statistical significance. The results were presented in the form of graphs and frequency tables. The study population had poor nutrition status as revealed by the high prevalence of overweight and obesity at 82.1%. Majority of the study participants had unhealthy dietary practices with intake of diets high in sugar, cholesterol, energy dense snacks and low in vitamins and minerals. Of the 134 respondent 79.1% had uncontrolled blood pressure. Low physical activity level was reported by most (63.0%) participants. Dietary practices were significantly associated with nutrition status. A positive significant relationship was found between dietary intake of carbohydrate (r=0.683, p<0.001) and cereals (r=0.229, p=0.008), and nutrition status. On the other hand a negative significant relationship was found between dietary intake of dark green vegetables (r=-0.210, p=0.015) and nutrition status. The predictors of being overweight or obese were determined to be dietary intake of carbohydrates, protein, meat, dark green vegetables and physical inactivity. Physical activity was significantly related with nutrition status at (p<0.001). The odds of being physical inactivity and obese in women was found to be 0.28 times while in men it was 3.50 times compared to physically active individuals. Based on these findings measures that would lead to better dietary practices and increased physical activity among hypertensive patients should be put in place for better hypertension management. The Ministry of Health and other agencies working in the sector for the control and management of hypertension may find the information collected in this study useful.