The relationship of food behavior and vascular aging on the example of a population selection of residents of St. Petersburg

Background. Diet and nutrition can favorably modulate arterial function during vascular aging, and therefore the search for their relationship is important. Objective. To study the relationship between eating behavior and markers of early vascular aging in patients with prehypertension and arterial hypertension. Design and methods . The respondents from the population sample of the epidemiological observational study ESSE-RF were questioned. 477 questionnaires were selected for further analysis of the respondents’ eating habits and the prevalence of early vascular aging among them. Inclusion criteria were age over 40 years to assess the risk of developing cardiovascular complications using the SCORE and ASCORE scales; lack of criteria for high and very high risk on the SCORE scale. A standard questionnaire was used, developed on the basis of adapted and validated international methods, with 12 modules. In the answers of the respondents, the amount and frequency of consumption of table salt, sugar, animal fats, meat and processed meat products, vegetables and fruits, poultry and fish were analyzed. The estimated vascular age of all respondents was assessed using the ASCORE scale. Results. In total, the responses on eating behavior were analyzed in 295 women and 182 men aged 40 to 65 years; the estimated vascular age (ASCORE) was 55.5 ± 9.6 years. For respondents with healthy vascular aging, compared to respondents with premature vascular aging, significantly less salt (57.2% versus 70.6%), sausages (44.1% versus 27%) and higher consumption of poultry meat are typical (44.1% versus 13.9%), dairy products (73.6% versus 41.4%) and fresh vegetables / fruits (88.2% versus 58%). The group of people with healthy vascular aging showed a higher level of daily consumption of sweets (55.9% versus 30.5%). Conclusion. Based on the results of a questionnaire survey of the population sample, it can be assumed that there is a connection between the peculiarities of the food pattern and vascular aging. Express assessment of eating behavior and calculation of vascular age can be used in outpatient practice for preventive counseling.