Diet and hypertension: Food to eat and to avoid

The current study, which was conducted in the district Dir (Upper) in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Pakistan, investigated the relationship between dietary patterns and the prevalence of hypertension. A total of three hundred and thirty one sample size was determined from 2500 respondents as per the Sekarn criteria. The sampled respondents were recruited from Rural Health Centers (RHC) and other clinics and dispensaries in Tehsil (Sub-division) Sheringal of district Dir Upper, Khyber Pukhtunkhwah Pakistan using a convenient sampling method. Further, the data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering the study variables, which were dietary habits (independent variable) and hypertension (dependent variable). Moreover, the selected data were analyzed by the application of SPSS (25 version) by applying descriptive statistics and chi-square test statistics analysis. Furthermore, all the attributes of hypertension were indexed and cross-tabulated to expose the association with dietary habits at bivariate level analysis. With descriptive statistics, the results indicated that majority of the respondents, with regards to gender identity, who suffered from hypertension were male, between the age group of 40-59 years, with a high illiteracy level. At bivariate level a significant association was found between hypertension and lack of proper food; less vegetable consumption; and excessive usage of salty food was the major cause of hypertension. Based on the aforementioned findings, it is possible to conclude that the respondents' poor daily food habits were the root cause of their hypertension. Furthermore, the consumption of fatty and salty foods rather than vegetables was discovered to be additional contributing factors to hypertension in the research location. As a result, the study recommends that changes in dietary habits, living alteration, regular blood pressure checks and consultations with doctors, a diet plan, exercise, avoiding stress and anxiety, and raising awareness about the prevalence of hypertension are all essential for hypertension issue to be controlled.