Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern is not associated with blood pressure in a cross-sectional sample of Australian primary schoolchildren

PURPOSE: The beneficial effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) to reduce blood pressure among adults are well established. However, whether this dietary pattern is also relevant for the control of blood pressure in children remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate adherence to the DASH dietary pattern and examine its association with blood pressure among Australian primary schoolchildren. METHOD: Cross-sectional data from 658 Australian children aged 8-12 years participating in the Salt and Other Nutrients In Children (SONIC) study were analyzed. One 24-hour diet recall was used to assess dietary intake. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured with a digital automatic blood pressure machine. To assess adherence to the DASH dietary pattern a total DASH score (0-90) was created based on nine nutrient targets (protein, saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol, total fiber, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium). Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the association between the DASH score and blood pressure. RESULTS: The mean total DASH score was 53.1 (SD 10.4) and was significantly different between boys (52.3) and girls (54.0) (p = 0.013). After controlling for covariates, no association between total DASH score and systolic or diastolic blood pressure was found. CONCLUSION: Adherence to the DASH dietary pattern was moderate and there was no association between the DASH dietary pattern and blood pressure among Australian children aged 8-12 years.