The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics 2014 , Vol 56 , Num 4
A Systematic Review of Nutrition-Based Practices in Prevention of Hypertension among Healthy Youth
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences, Departments of Pediatric Nursing, 2Hacettepe University Faculty of Nursing, Ankara, 3Kırıkkale University Faculty of Health Sciences, Kırıkkale, and Departments of 4Biostatistics and 5Public Health, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
E-mail: diaslan@hacettepe.edu.tr
The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the results of observational and interventional research/studies on nutrition-based practices in the prevention of hypertension among healthy youth. The MEDLINE/PubMed database was searched using the key words, “hypertension,” “nutrition/diet,” “prevention” and “youth.” Inclusion criteria were: 1) sample with a majority of adolescents, defined as 10-24 years of age, or findings for adolescents reported separately from other age groups; 2) primary research reports; 3) studies with normotensive participants; and 4) studies that focused on preventing hypertension/lowering blood pressure through at least one nutritional practice. Results of the analysis indicated that increased consumption of unsaturated fats, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dietary products, decreased consumption of dietary sodium and beverages containing caffeine, and breastfeeding were found to have preventive effects against high blood pressure in later years of life. The effects of training given during youth to encourage a healthy lifestyle and behavior changes based on diet and physical activity were also noted. Keywords : hypertension, nutrition, prevention, youth.
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