Food consumption patterns and high blood pressure levels among Brazilians: cross-sectional study, 2013/ Patrones de consumo de alimentos y niveles altos de presión entre brasileños: estudio transversal, 2013/ Padrões de consumo alimentar e níveis pressóricos elevados em brasileiros: estudo transversal, 2013

Objective. To analyze the association between patterns of food consumption markers with high blood pressure levels among Brazilians. Methods. Cross-sectional study with data from the National Health Survey, with outcome high blood pressure levels, measured during an interview, between August and November 2013. Food patterns, the exposure variables, were identified. Prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated using multivariable Poisson regression. Results. The prevalence of high blood pressure levels was 16.0% (95%CI ­ 15.3;16.7) of the 37,216 participants, being higher in those with a diet that included meat and alcoholic beverages (PR=1.21 ­ 95%CI 1.08;1.35). The pattern with highest presence of greens and vegetables did not show a statistically significant association com niveis pressoricos elevados (PR=0.94 ­ 95%CI 0.84;1.06). Conclusion. The pattern with meat and alcoholic beverages was associated with high blood pressure levels.