Diet Biggest Factor In African-Americans’ Greater Risk Of High Blood Pressure

By Holly Gainer

Diet is the predominant factor explaining why more African-Americans develop high blood pressure than their white counterparts, according to a national study led by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

After analyzing nearly 7,000 adults, researchers identified factors that help explain why African-Americans have a higher risk of hypertension than whites. The leading factor to explain the difference is eating a Southern-style diet, which is high in fried and processed foods. The other key factors are salt intake and level of education.

Based on nationwide data from the UAB School of Public Health, the study was published Oct. 2 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Lead author George Howard, doctor of Public Health and professor of biostatistics, said the most significant part of the study is it identifies lifestyle changes that can be made to reduce the higher risk of hypertension in African-Americans. Hypertension is the main reason they are at higher risk of stroke and heart attacks, and one of the main reasons African-Americans have a shorter life expectancy.

Please visit Alabama News Center for the read the full article.

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