Food consumption of patients with hypertension treated at Basic Health Units in Salvador: analysis based on the Brazilian Cardioprotective Diet – DICA-BR

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH) increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Among the modifiable risk factors
is eating habits. In this sense, the Brazilian Cardioprotective Diet (DICA-BR) proposes to promote healthy eating habits and assist in
the control of SAH. Objective: to evaluate the food consumption profile of hypertensive patients treated at Basic Health Units (BHU)
based on the recommendations of DICA-BR. Methodology: a cross-sectional study was conducted in Salvador with 170 patients,
men and women with hypertension (≥ 140 mmHg or ≥ 90 mmHg), aged ≥ 20 years. DICA-BR categorises foods by the colours of the
Brazilian flag and recommends servings/day by group/colour: 12, green; 10, yellow; 3, blue; and 0, red. The Ethics Committee of UNEB
approved the study under number 43203121.5.3005.5662. Results: among those studied, there was a prevalence of females (81.8%),
blacks (91.2%), income of ½ to 2 minimum wages (67.1%), adult age group (55.9%) and complete high school or incomplete higher
education level (27.1%). Regarding the food consumption profile, the participants did not meet the consumption recommendation
(servings/week): green, 17 (20.2%); yellow, 16 (22.9%); blue, 19 (90.5%); and red, 13. White individuals were the only ones to reach
100% consumption in the blue group. The highest intake of foods from the red group (ultra-processed) was observed in people with
no income (38 servings). Conclusion: according to DICA-BR, participants with SAH did not meet the recommended intake for most
food groups, except for the blue group, and consumed high amounts of ultra-processed foods.