EFFECT OF CUSTOMIZED DASH DIET AND LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION ON BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG STAGE-1 HYPERTENSIVE INDIVIDUALS

This study aims to evaluate the impact of a personalized DASH diet and lifestyle modifications on blood pressure levels in individuals diagnosed with stage-1 hypertension. An observational study with purposive sampling was carried out over one-year duration, specifically from April 2022 to March 2023. Data was gathered through a self-structured interview schedule questionnaire and subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. The study subjects were provided with interventions targeting lifestyle modifications and implementation of a customized DASH diet. Post-intervention changes were recorded during the follow-up 2. The paired t-test was employed to determine the significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A total of 300 individuals diagnosed with stage-1 hypertension participated in the study, with a mean age of 47.19 (SD: 12.68). The study population consisted of 63% females (n=189) and 37% males (n=111). Results of the study revealed a significant decrease in both systolic (P<0.001) and diastolic (P<0.001) blood pressure levels among the participants who underwent a customized DASH diet and incorporated lifestyle changes into their daily routines. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed in the changes of systolic (P value – 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (P value – 0.001) between two groups: group I, which received the customized DASH diet alone, and group II, which received the customized DASH diet along with lifestyle modifications. In individuals with stage-1 hypertension, the implementation of a personalized DASH diet and lifestyle modifications plays a crucial role as an effective initial treatment strategy, complementing medication use. This approach proves beneficial for individuals who already have borderline high blood pressure, leading to a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors.