The association of eating behaviors with blood pressure levels in college students: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUNDS: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between eating habits and blood pressure levels in college students in order to provide more insights into the prevention and control of hypertension. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to first-year college students. The demographic characteristics, eating behaviors, smoking and drinking status, and physical activity of 3,324 eligible respondents were analyzed. Multivariate logistics regression model was used to analyze the association of eating behaviors with blood pressure levels. RESULTS: The study participants had a mean (SD) age of 18.51 (1.00) years. The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels were 114.08 and 70.92 mmHg, respectively. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 7.2%; and the prevalence among males and females was 12.9% and 3.2%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression results confirmed that students’ taste preference, desserts, and late-night snacks were associated with hypertension. Students who ate spicy food had a lower risk of high blood pressure (OR =0.642, P=0.028); as was having dessert 3–6 times a week (OR =0.702, P=0.037), while those who ate late-night snacks on 6–7 days of the week had a higher risk for hypertension (OR =2.093, P=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: More targeted interventions should be taken to improve students’ eating habits and control their blood pressure.