Adherence to dietary approaches to stop hypertension diet and visceral adipose tissue area among U.S. adults, a cross-sectional study

Excessive visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a significant risk factor for various diseases. Diet plays a crucial role in controlling obesity. This study examined the association between the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and VAT in 9027 adults using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Linear regression models were used to explore this association, with subgroup analyses included. Results showed a significant inverse association between DASH scores and VAT area, even after adjusting for covariates (β = -2.18, 95% CI: -3.10, -1.27). Participants in the highest DASH score tertile had significantly lower VAT areas compared to those in the lowest tertile (β = -7.2, 95% CI: -10.40, -4.01). This inverse association was most pronounced in middle-aged participants. Further prospective cohort studies are necessary to confirm these findings.