Individuals in a Free-Living Environment
Individuals in a Free-Living Environment
The objective of the study was to provide information on the effects on blood pressure of following a DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet program in a free-living environment without any adjustments in a person’s behavior and lifestyle (Malloy-McFall, Barkley, Gordon, Burziminski and Glickman, 2010, p. 15). To test their hypothesis, the researchers used a controlled study design, whereby one sample group followed the DASH diet as the control continued with their normal diet. The study sample comprised 20 participants (n=20), who were classified into two groups, DASH and the control sample. The DASH group was guided on how they would independently follow the diet, while the control group would not alter their normal diet programs. Questionnaires were used to collect data on SBP (Systolic Blood Pressure), DBP (Diastolic Blood Pressure), 3-day food diaries and body weight using a person-to-person instructional method. Data was collected before and after the intervention.
The data obtained was analyzed and tested using 2-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlations and Chi-square techniques. The results showed a significant reduction in SBP in the group following the DASH diet (pre: 141.3 ± 11.3 mmHg vs. post: 130.7 ± 9.1 mmHg), while the control sample showed no significant change (pre: 133.5 ± 6.6 mmHg vs. post: 131.9 ± 8.9 mmHg) (Malloy-McFall et al., 2010). Only insignificant reductions in DBP (2.2 ± 5.9 mmHg) were observed.
Blood pressure moderators such as basic metabolic index, sodium intake, body weight and total kilocalories, which dropped in both study groups, were not seen to be independently associated with the reduction in blood pressure in DASH-diet adherents and the control sample, possibly because the control group members may have changed their behavior due to their participation in the study Malloy-McFall et al., 2010). All in all, the study’s findings confirmed previous ones on clinical and free-living evaluations of the DASH diet, adding to the descriptive data regarding relationships between blood pressure changes and adherence to a DASH diet.
References
Malloy-McFall, J., Barkley, J. E., Gordon, L. K., Burzminski, N. & Glickman, E. L. (2010).
Effect of the DASH Diet on Pre- and Stage 1 Hypertensive Individuals in a Free-Living Environment. Nutrition and Metabolic Insights, 3: 15-23
