The Correlation of Food Consumption with the Prevalence of Hypertension on Midlife Adults and Elderly in Hospital of Dr. H. Soewondo, Kendal District Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The number of hypertension cases in Kendal District is increasing, especially in the elderly people from 60 to 74 year old. There are many factors that may cause hypertension; one of them is food consumption. AIM: The objective of this study is to determine whether there is a correlation between food consumption and the prevalence of hypertension in the elderly in Kendal District. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional approach that has been carried out on 47 elderly people. The sampling technique of this study used purposive sampling. This study involved 47 elderly people as the respondents. The research data were collected by using a food  consumption table questionnaire or FFQ, stethoscope, and sphygmomanometer. The research data were analyzed using Fisher Exact Test. RESULTS: The result of the study showed that the correlation between the consumption of salty foods and the prevalence of hypertension was  p = 0.000, while for the consumption of fatty foods was p = 0.464 and for the consumption of sweet foods was p = 0.728. It is concluded that there is no correlation between the consumption of fatty foods and sweet foods with the prevalence of hypertension. CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between the consumption of salty foods with the prevalence of hypertension on midlife adults and elderly in Hospital of Dr. H. Soewondo Kendal District.