The Association of Prehypertension With Meals Eaten Away From Home in Young Adults in Singapore

BACKGROUND Elevated blood pressure (BP) during early life years is associated with future risk of hypertension and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and lifestyle factors associated with prehypertension (systolic BP (SBP) 120–139mm Hg and/or diastolic BP (DBP) 80–89mm Hg) or hypertension (SBP ≥ 140mm Hg and/or DBP ≥ 90mm Hg or on antihypertensive medications) among young adults at a Singapore university. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 501 university-going young adults aged 18–40 years in Singapore was conducted using convenience sampling. Data on BP, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle factors (meals eaten away from home/week, physical activity) was collected, and their association with prehypertension or hypertension was determined. RESULTS Prehypertension was found in 27.4% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 24–32) of the population: 49% (44–58) in men and 9% (6–13) in women (P < 0.001). 2.2% (1.2–3.9) had hypertension. In a multivariable model, those with prehypertension or hypertension tended to eat more meals away from home per week (per meal/week odds ratio (OR) = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01–1.09), have higher BMI (per kg/m2 OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.02–1.30), and low physical activity (low vs. moderate/high activity OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.20–3.82). Other associates were male gender (OR = 7.01, 95% CI = 3.97–12.4) and older age (per year OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01–1.11). CONCLUSION Prehypertension may be common among university-going young adults in Singapore and is associated with potentially preventable lifestyle factors. Our findings call for large-scale population-based studies, including lifestyle modification trials for prevention of hypertension among young adults in Singapore.