Eating Outside Increases Blood Pressure Risk

A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension suggests a link between eating meals away from home and high blood pressure. According to the researchers Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, the findings are particularly applicable to young adults of Asian descent.

The researchers surveyed 501 young adults aged 18-40 who attended university in Singapore. The surveys collected information on the students' blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), lifestyle, physical activity levels and how often they eat out.

It was found that 27.4% of the students had pre-hypertension, 49% of the male participants and 9% of the female participants had pre-hypertension, and 38% of the students ate more than 12 meals away from home per week.

The researchers found that students with hypertension or pre-hypertension were more likely than participants without hypertension or pre-hypertension to eat out more often, have a higher BMI, have lower levels of physical activity and be current smokers.

One of the key findings of the study was that eating just one extra meal out per week is associated with a 6% increase in risk for pre-hypertension. This is the first study to show an association between dining out and increased hypertension risk.

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