Relationships between Dairy Consumption Patterns and Hypertension, Overweight, and Obesity Status

Obesity is considered a widespread concern internationally. Few studies have investigated the relationships between dairy consumption and hypertension and obesity. Therefore, this study examined the above concern in students.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 292 male students (18-30 y) living in the dormitories of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Students were selected via the multistage stratified random sampling method. Demographic information, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure (BP) readings, and a semi-quantitative validated questionnaire assessing dairy consumption (including a 24-hour dietary record covering 2 typical days and a holiday) were collected. After all the questionnaires were reviewed, they were coded and analyzed with Nutritionist IV software.

The average age of the subjects was 22.36 years. The mean±SD values of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist circumference-to-standing height ratio were 22.68±2.58 kg/m², 80.95±7.81 cm, 0.85±0.04, and 0.46±0.04 among the studied population, respectively. The mean±SD values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 111.84±10 mm Hg and 70.99±8 mm Hg, respectively. Milk consumption was associated with a low waist circumference (95% credible interval, 1.005 to 4.580; P=0.046). The odds of hypertension (defined as BP>120/90 mm Hg) were 2.686 times higher in the overweight and obese group than in the normal BMI group. The risk of hypertension was 1.045 times higher for individuals with abdominal obesity than for those who did not consume dairy products.

Milk consumption was associated with a low waist circumference. The correlations between systolic blood pressure and anthropometric factors were statistically significant. BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio were positively associated with systolic blood pressure.