The relationship between health beliefs, based on the Health Beliefs Model, and compliance with a sodium-restricted diet was investigated. Significant predictors of compliance and the relationships among compliance measures were also investigated. The Health Beliefs Questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 30 hypertensive elderly subjects. Overnight urine chloride, questionnaire (added salt and salty foods), blood pressure, and dietary recall operationalized compliance. No significant relationship was found between a total health beliefs score, perceived resusceptibility to hypertension, and perceived severity of hypertension and compliance. Perceived benefits of antihypertension treatment had significant relationships with urine chloride (r = 0.41) and blood pressure (r = 0.35). Age, a significant predictor, accounted for 12% of compliance. Urine chloride significantly correlated with added salt (r = 0.44), salty foods (r = 0.44), and blood pressure (r = 0.45). Barriers to a sodium-restricted diet were categorized as no control of salt in prepared foods, desire for salt, addictive behavior, and beliefs about salt.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A adoção do plano dietético Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) tem sido enfatizado na população hipertensa como uma importante estratégia no controle dos níveis pressóricos elevados. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o consumo alimentar de macro e micronutrientes em pacientes hipertensos, em especial do sódio, cálcio, potássio e magnésio, e comparar com as recomendações dietéticas contidas no plano DASH. Estudo transversal envolvendo uma amostra de conveniência composta por 113 hipertensos entre 40 e 69 anos. A medida da pressão arterial (PA) foi determinada com aparelho eletrônico devidamente calibrado e a avaliação dietética obtida pelo questionário de freqüência do consumo alimentar. Os alimentos ingeridos foram convertidos em porções e distribuídos em diferentes grupos alimentares. A faixa de porções recomendadas pelo plano DASH foi determinada com base na média das necessidades energéticas desta amostra permitindo assim uma posterior comparação com o hábito alimentar dos hipertensos, utilizando um escore de pontos com pontuação máxima de 9 pontos. A amostra foi dividida em três grupos: grupo B que obteve 2,5 a 4,0 pontos (n=34; 30%), grupo M entre 4,5 a 5,0 pontos (n=43; 38%) e grupo A que obteve 5,5 a 8,0 pontos (n=36; 32%). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas na média da PA sistólica (14024 vs 13823 vs 13515 mmHg) e diastólica (8617 vs 8813 vs 8410 mmHg). Apesar do grupo A consumir mais proteínas e gordura monoinsaturada, foi detectado um excesso pronunciado na ingestão de gordura saturada, colesterol e das calorias totais, por este grupo de pacientes. No que tange a ingestão dos micronutrientes, o grupo A apresentou consumo significativamente maior de cálcio, potássio e magnésio, refletido pela maior ingestão de vegetais e frutas em comparação aos grupos B e M. A média de ingestão do sódio intrínseco foi significativamente maior no grupo A (4,12,0 vs 3,11,1 vs 2,71,1 g/dia). Foram detectadas, apenas no grupo A, correlações entre PA sistólica e o percentual de proteína (r = -0,5; p=0,002) e PA sistólica e o percentual de carboidrato (r = 0,4; p=0,02). Apenas um terço dos hipertensos avaliados apresentaram padrão alimentar mais concordante com o plano DASH e com maior ingestão de proteínas, gordura monoinsaturada, fibras, cálcio, potássio e magnésio. Entretanto, o consumo mais elevado de sódio, gordura saturada, colesterol e das calorias totais por este grupo de pacientes poderia restringir uma maior queda dos níveis pressóricos elevados. / The adoption of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan has been emphasized in the hypertension population as an important strategy in the control of the raised blood pressure (BP). The objective of this study was to analyze the alimentary consumption of macro and micronutrients in hypertensive patients, especially of sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium, and to compare with the dietary recommendations contained in DASH plan. Transversal study was conducted in a convenience sample of 113 hypertensive patients, between 40 and 69 years. The BP measurement was determined with calibrated electronic device and the dietary assessment was performed trough the semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. For comparison with DASH plan, ingested foods were converted into portions and the magnitude of the portions recommended for DASH plan was determined on the basis of the mean energy requirements of this sample. Thereafter, cut-off points were established for food groups, the maximum number of points that a patient could reach was 9. The sample was divided in tertils: Group L with 2.5 4.0 points (n=34; 30%), Group I with 4.5 5.0 points (n=43; 38%) and Group H with 5.5 8.0 points (n=36; 32%). Systolic and diastolic BP were not significantly different among the groups (14024 vs 13823 vs 13515 mmHg/ 8617 vs 8813 vs 8410 mmHg). Group H consumed more proteins and monoinsaturated fat, a pronounced excess in the saturated fat, cholesterol and total calories intake was also detected in this group of patients. Regarding micronutrients intake, group H presented significantly higher consumption of calcium, potassium and magnesium, reflected for higher vegetable and fruits intake in comparison to the groups L and I. The average of intrinsic sodium intake was significantly higher in the group H (4.12.0 vs 3.11.1 vs 2.71.1 g/day). Negative correlation between the systolic BP and dietary protein percentage (r=-0.5, p=0.002) and a positive correlation between the systolic BP and the carbohydrate percentage (r=0.4, p=0.02) was verified only in group H. The present study showed that only one third of the hypertensive patients presented alimentary pattern more consistent with DASH plan, showing greater intake of protein, monounsaturated fat, fiber, calcium, potassium and magnesium. However, pronounced sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol intake and excess of total calories in these hypertensive patients could restrict a greater control of BP.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A adoção do plano dietético Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) tem sido enfatizado na população hipertensa como uma importante estratégia no controle dos níveis pressóricos elevados. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o consumo alimentar de macro e micronutrientes em pacientes hipertensos, em especial do sódio, cálcio, potássio e magnésio, e comparar com as recomendações dietéticas contidas no plano DASH. Estudo transversal envolvendo uma amostra de conveniência composta por 113 hipertensos entre 40 e 69 anos. A medida da pressão arterial (PA) foi determinada com aparelho eletrônico devidamente calibrado e a avaliação dietética obtida pelo questionário de freqüência do consumo alimentar. Os alimentos ingeridos foram convertidos em porções e distribuídos em diferentes grupos alimentares. A faixa de porções recomendadas pelo plano DASH foi determinada com base na média das necessidades energéticas desta amostra permitindo assim uma posterior comparação com o hábito alimentar dos hipertensos, utilizando um escore de pontos com pontuação máxima de 9 pontos. A amostra foi dividida em três grupos: grupo B que obteve 2,5 a 4,0 pontos (n=34; 30%), grupo M entre 4,5 a 5,0 pontos (n=43; 38%) e grupo A que obteve 5,5 a 8,0 pontos (n=36; 32%). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas na média da PA sistólica (14024 vs 13823 vs 13515 mmHg) e diastólica (8617 vs 8813 vs 8410 mmHg). Apesar do grupo A consumir mais proteínas e gordura monoinsaturada, foi detectado um excesso pronunciado na ingestão de gordura saturada, colesterol e das calorias totais, por este grupo de pacientes. No que tange a ingestão dos micronutrientes, o grupo A apresentou consumo significativamente maior de cálcio, potássio e magnésio, refletido pela maior ingestão de vegetais e frutas em comparação aos grupos B e M. A média de ingestão do sódio intrínseco foi significativamente maior no grupo A (4,12,0 vs 3,11,1 vs 2,71,1 g/dia). Foram detectadas, apenas no grupo A, correlações entre PA sistólica e o percentual de proteína (r = -0,5; p=0,002) e PA sistólica e o percentual de carboidrato (r = 0,4; p=0,02). Apenas um terço dos hipertensos avaliados apresentaram padrão alimentar mais concordante com o plano DASH e com maior ingestão de proteínas, gordura monoinsaturada, fibras, cálcio, potássio e magnésio. Entretanto, o consumo mais elevado de sódio, gordura saturada, colesterol e das calorias totais por este grupo de pacientes poderia restringir uma maior queda dos níveis pressóricos elevados. / The adoption of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan has been emphasized in the hypertension population as an important strategy in the control of the raised blood pressure (BP). The objective of this study was to analyze the alimentary consumption of macro and micronutrients in hypertensive patients, especially of sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium, and to compare with the dietary recommendations contained in DASH plan. Transversal study was conducted in a convenience sample of 113 hypertensive patients, between 40 and 69 years. The BP measurement was determined with calibrated electronic device and the dietary assessment was performed trough the semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. For comparison with DASH plan, ingested foods were converted into portions and the magnitude of the portions recommended for DASH plan was determined on the basis of the mean energy requirements of this sample. Thereafter, cut-off points were established for food groups, the maximum number of points that a patient could reach was 9. The sample was divided in tertils: Group L with 2.5 4.0 points (n=34; 30%), Group I with 4.5 5.0 points (n=43; 38%) and Group H with 5.5 8.0 points (n=36; 32%). Systolic and diastolic BP were not significantly different among the groups (14024 vs 13823 vs 13515 mmHg/ 8617 vs 8813 vs 8410 mmHg). Group H consumed more proteins and monoinsaturated fat, a pronounced excess in the saturated fat, cholesterol and total calories intake was also detected in this group of patients. Regarding micronutrients intake, group H presented significantly higher consumption of calcium, potassium and magnesium, reflected for higher vegetable and fruits intake in comparison to the groups L and I. The average of intrinsic sodium intake was significantly higher in the group H (4.12.0 vs 3.11.1 vs 2.71.1 g/day). Negative correlation between the systolic BP and dietary protein percentage (r=-0.5, p=0.002) and a positive correlation between the systolic BP and the carbohydrate percentage (r=0.4, p=0.02) was verified only in group H. The present study showed that only one third of the hypertensive patients presented alimentary pattern more consistent with DASH plan, showing greater intake of protein, monounsaturated fat, fiber, calcium, potassium and magnesium. However, pronounced sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol intake and excess of total calories in these hypertensive patients could restrict a greater control of BP.

D.Litt. et Phil. / A problematic aspect of the latter half of the twentieth century in the South African health context, has been the change of the incidence of hypertension amongst black South Africans from being barely. endemic to being a virtual epidemic. This change in hypertension has had several negative components, notably the development of malignant hypertension wherein a markedly accelerated rate of development in hypertension has led to severely high incidences of morbidity and mortality amongst black South Africans notably in urban areas. Many researchers have cited the rapid process of urbaniztion as being the major cause, of this rapid rise in the relative incidence of hypertension amongst black South Africans. Whereas previously, the rapid rise of hypertension in urbanizing black South Africans has been attributed to the social readjustment, associated with urbanization, recent research have suggested that it is not only stressrelated, but also related to a change in basic lifestyle. Basic lifestyle changes have been found to include a change in work ethic from being a rural, cooperative work ethic, to being an urbanized firstworld type A, aggressive, competitive workstyle. This has led also to changes in eating habits with the ingestion of more salt, fats and oils, and has led to a hurried, but non exercised lifestyle. Because of the rapid increase of incidence of hypertension amongst black South Africans, the treatment of this condition has become problematic~ While black South Africans do not respond as well to traditional pharmacological interventions in this condition, they also show side-effects which make it very difficult for them to continue taking this medication. The cost aspects have also been noted to be prohibitively high and the availability of medicines because of the cost aspects has been projected to decline in the coming century. For this reason it would be "important to address other adjunctive measures to treat hypertension amongst black South Africans. In addition to standard harmacological interventions , it appears that there has been mention in the Iiterature of. lifestyle changes to be an efficacious intervention method in stabilizing and reducing blood pressure amongst hypertensives. This has however not been investigated individually or systematically amongst black South Africans. It was therefore the purpose of this study to investigate the effectiveness of lifestyle intervention programs, notably an aerobic exercise intervention, a dietary intervention, and an intervention to increase assertiveness and therefore reduce the aggressiveness associated with the competitive working style acquired by black South Africans. In order to test the efficacy of these treatment measures, a large group of black mineworkers were selected on a basis of meeting the diagnostic criteria for essential hypertension. These black mineworkers were then systematically sUbjected to an aerobic exercise intervention, a dietary intervention, and anger management by means of assertiveness training. Various measures were performed on a pretest and posttest basis. All three interventions were shown to have moderate efficacy. It was found that aerobic exercise, the dietary intervention and the anger management to be associated with a decline in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and to be associated with a reduction in the taking of hypertensive medication as ordered by the attending physicians. The aerobic exercise intervention also indicated that black South African mineworkers are relatively unfit and a ch~nge in fitness resulted in a decline in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The dietary intervention proved to be efficient in terms of changing lifestyle eating habits. Of note is the fact that there was a substantial decrease in the taking of medication when compared to a· control group. It would appear from this research that the specific forms of lifestyle change in black hypertensives noted in this study would be an efficient adjunct or even a substitute for present treatment of hypertension amongst black mineworkers.