Healthy eating index and muscle mass are associated stronger with blood pressure than muscle strength in adolescent girls living in urban area
ISSN: 0034-6659
Article publication date: 12 April 2024
Issue publication date: 13 May 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the relationship between muscle strength, eating index and blood pressure in adolescent girls. Growing studies show earlier onset of hypertension in youth. The prevalence may deteriorate during the COVID-19 pandemic due to unhealthy behavioral changes. Muscle mass (MM) is reported to be associated with blood pressure (BP), but there are limited studies that observed the relationship between the functional properties of muscle (muscle strength [MS]), healthy eating index (HEI) and BP.
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study involved 499 girls aged 15–18 years. HEI was generated from a 24-h food recall. MM and body fat (BF) were measured by bioelectrical impendence analysis (BIA), and MS and BP were measured by hand grip and Tensimeter, respectively. Multiple linear tests were performed to obtain an adjusted model.
Findings
Almost five out of 100 girls had high BP (4.8%) and a good diet (4%). The majority of them had desirable MM (75.9%) and low MS (50.1%). HEI negatively and MS are positively associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP). The inclusion of MM in the model diminished the association between MS and SBP completely. After adjustment for age and BF, only MM (ß = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.35, 0.95) was associated with SBP. HEI was inversely (ß = −0.16, 95% CI = −0.31, −0.09) whereas MM (ß = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.11, 0.53) was positively associated with diastolic BP.
Research limitations/implications
Studies associating MM or MS with better physical performance and metabolic health are mostly reported in the elderly; current finding contributes to the lack of literature and implies the importance of examining those associations at a younger age.
Originality/value
HEI and MM are associated with young girls’ BP in different directions. Healthy eating and engagement in activities to optimize muscle function should be promoted in adolescent girls to alleviate the risk of getting cardiovascular disease.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all participant students, research team and all enumerators who have made this research possible.
Funding: This work is partly supported by Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat, Universitas Esa Unggul with grant number: No. 011/LP P M/KONT RAK-INT/P NT/VIII/2023.
Citation
Cahyanillah, D., Melani, V., Kuswari, M., Sitoayu, L. and Angkasa, D. (2024), "Healthy eating index and muscle mass are associated stronger with blood pressure than muscle strength in adolescent girls living in urban area", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 54 No. 4, pp. 764-774. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-01-2024-0014
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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