Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
05:51
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Patterns and Their Association with Blood Pressure Among Young Adults: A
Karthikeyan Ramanujam1, Abhigna Mahathi1, Jarupula Namrathaa Pawar1
1ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 500007, India.
Nutrients
|May 27, 2026
Summary
High consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), particularly those high in fat and salt, is linked to increased high blood pressure risk in urban Indian college students. This highlights the need for dietary awareness and interventions in university settings.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Hypertension is rising among young adults in urban India.
- Rapid dietary shifts and increased ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption are concurrent trends.
- Urban college students represent a population undergoing significant lifestyle changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and patterns of UPF consumption among urban college students.
- To investigate the association between UPF intake and high blood pressure in this demographic.
- To identify factors influencing UPF consumption in young adults.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 311 undergraduate students (aged 18-24) in Hyderabad, India.
- Blood pressure measured using a validated automated device.
- Dietary intake assessed via a 24-item food frequency questionnaire focusing on UPFs.
- Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for covariates to analyze UPF-BP association.
Main Results:
- Overall prevalence of high blood pressure (≥140/90 mmHg) was 12.5%.
- Higher odds of high blood pressure observed in males and students from higher-income households.
- Consumption of high-fat and/or high-salt UPFs (at or above median) was independently associated with high blood pressure (AOR: 2.85).
- Taste, availability, and low cost were key drivers for UPF consumption.
Conclusions:
- Increased intake of high-fat/high-salt UPFs is associated with elevated blood pressure in urban young adults.
- Findings suggest a need for targeted dietary awareness programs in college settings.
- Longitudinal studies are recommended to confirm these associations and inform interventions.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Factors affecting Blood pressure
Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
Physiological Factors:
01:30Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
01:30Blood Pressure
Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure or force of blood exerted on the artery's walls as it circulates through the body. It is essential for maintaining blood flow throughout the body.
The average BP in an adult is typically around 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). In this measurement, the numerator (120) indicates the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart's ventricles as blood is expelled. The denominator (80) represents the diastolic...
The average BP in an adult is typically around 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). In this measurement, the numerator (120) indicates the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart's ventricles as blood is expelled. The denominator (80) represents the diastolic...
01:18Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
01:28Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications
Multiple classes of antihypertensive medications are employed in treating hypertension. The most commonly recommended first-line treatments include:Thiazide Diuretics, such as chlorthalidone, increase sodium and water excretion from the body, reducing blood volume and blood pressure.Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, like lisinopril, block the conversion of angiotensin I to II, a potent vasoconstrictor lowering blood pressure.Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) prevent angiotensin II...
01:29Hypertension II: Pathophysiology
Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...