Effects of a Chinese-style DASH Diet on Nutritional Health in Hypertensive Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background High blood pressure can cause damages of target organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys and retina, while diabetes can cause a series of metabolic disorders, resulting in a variety of complications. Both are major risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Eating a healthy diet may significantly contribute to the prevention and control of hypertension and diabetes. Objective To investigate the effects of a Chinese-style DASH diet in improving the nutritional status of community-living patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Methods Sixty-one hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes with medical records created in Chongqing Sihai Community Health Center were selected to undergo an eight-week Chinese-style DASH diet intervention, including dietary guidance (at 1 and 2 weeks) , eating the Chinese-style DASH diet provided using a group-based approach (at 3 and 4 weeks) , and home-based medical care (at 5 to 8 weeks) . Food frequency survey and 24-hour dietary recall were u