Association between healthy eating index-2015 and abdominal aortic calcification: A population-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: An association between the healthy eating index (HEI)-2015 and risk of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is unclear in the general population of the United States (U.S.). Therefore, we examined the relationship between HEI-2015 and AAC risk in our research. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) participants between 2013 and 2014 was conducted. For the analysis of the association between HEI-2015 and AAC, the restricted cubic spline (RCS) plot and multivariable logistic regression models were used. In addition, we also conducted subgroup analysis for the relationship between HEI-2015 and AAC. RESULTS: There was a total of 1162 individuals. As shown by the RCS plot, HEI-2015 was linked with AAC risk in a U-shaped pattern (P for nonlinearity < 0.05). Taking into account known confounding variables, compared with the lowest quartiles, the odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for AAC across the quartiles were 0.637 (0.425,0.956), 0.763 (0.499, 1.167), and 0.842 (0.561, 1.265). Based on the results of subgroup analysis, the HEI-2015 and AAC risk were U-curve correlated among all age groups, sex, with or without hypertension or DM, and BMI of <30 kg/m(2). The greens and beans, and whole fruits are independent protective factor for AAC. CONCLUSIONS: The U-shaped relationships exist between HEI-2015 and prevalence of AAC in the general U.S. population. Consequently, prevalence of AAC may be mitigated with reasonable and balanced diet.