Non-communicable Diseases such as anaemia, hypertension and diabetes and their treatment may upsurge the risk of childbirth-related complications for both women and their babies. The present study is an attempt to assess the level and determinants of Anaemia, Hypertension and Diabetes among pregnant women using the fourth round of National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16) data. Bivariate and logistic regression techniques have been used for data analysis. Study findings suggest that the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women was found to be 25.9%, whereas the corresponding figure for hypertension and diabetes were 4.4% and 2.4%, respectively. Further, substantial socio-economic differentials have been observed in the prevalence of Anaemia, Hypertension and Diabetes among pregnant women. Results of regression analysis suggest that anaemia and hypertension were significantly higher among women in their third trimester [(OR = 2.10; p < 0.001) and (OR = 1.63; p < 0.001)], respectively, compared to women in the first trimester. Similarly, pregnant women in the age group 35-49 were at an elevated risk of hypertension (OR = 2.78; p < 0.001)) and diabetes (OR = 2.50; p < 0.001)) compared to women aged 15-24. Further, the risk of anaemia was found to be significantly lower among pregnant women from the richest quintile (OR = 0.71; p < 0.001) and women with higher educational level (OR = 0.72; p < 0.001) when compared to women from the poorest wealth quintile and women with no formal education respectively. Similarly, pregnant women from the richest quintile (OR = 1.68; p < 0.001) and women from other religion (OR = 1.75; p < 0.001) are significantly more likely to develop diabetes compared to women from the poorest quintile and women from the Hindu religion, respectively. In conclusion, early screening for predicting the risk of gestational anaemia, gestational diabetes, and gestational hypertension is critical in minimizing maternal and reproductive outcomes. The existing guidelines for Screening and Management of Gestational Diabetes, Gestational Hypertension need to be contextualized and modified according to a local need for effective treatment.

Many dietary guidelines recommend restricting the consumption of processed red meat (PRM) in favour of healthier foods such as fish, to reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. The objective of this study was to estimate the potential effect of replacing PRM for fatty fish, lean fish, red meat, eggs, pulses, or vegetables, on the risk of incident hypertension and diabetes. This was a prospective study of women in the E3N cohort study. Cases of diabetes and hypertension were based on self-report, specific questionnaires, and drug reimbursements. In the main analysis, information on regular dietary intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire, and food substitutions were modelled using cox proportional hazard models 95 % confidence intervals were generated via bootstrapping. 71,081 women free of diabetes and 45,771 women free of hypertension were followed for an average of 18.7 and 18.3 years respectively. 2,681 incident cases of diabetes and 12,327 incident cases of hypertension were identified. Replacing PRM with fatty fish was associated with a 15 % lower risk of diabetes (HR = 0.85, 95 CI [0.73: 0.97]), and hypertension (HR =0 .85 [0.79: 0.91]). Between 3 – 10 % lower risk of hypertension or diabetes was also observed when replacing PRM with vegetables, unprocessed red meat, or pulses. The replacement of PRM with alternative protein sources such as fatty fish, unprocessed red meat, vegetables, or pulses was associated with a reduced risk of hypertension and diabetes.

Various body indicators are used to predict health risks. However, controversies still exist regarding the best indicators to predict CVD. Using a large number of measurements, our aim was to assess their associations with blood pressure (BP) and to identify the most relevant parameters to be used in health surveillance studies. The population included 589 students (67·2 % women) aged 20–25 years from Constantine (Algeria). Sixteen parameters were considered, including crude body measurements, ratios and body fat indicators based on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). We used multi-adjusted linear regression models to assess the associations between body measurements and BP. According to WHO definitions, underweight, overweight-without obesity, obesity and hypertension (HT) were identified in 6·1, 18·0, 2·4 and 5·1 % of the subjects, respectively. Prevalence of HT was higher in men than in women (11·9 % v. 1·8 %; P < 0·001). In the whole sample, almost all indicators were positively associated with systolic and diastolic BP. The suprailiac skinfold had the strongest associations with systolic (β = 3·498; P < 0·001) and diastolic (β = 2·436; P < 0·001) BP, and as a whole, arm circumferences and weight were also good candidates. The currently used BMI, waist-to-hip, waist-to-height ratio and BIA indictors also predicted BP, but they did not seem to be better determinants of BP than crude anthropometric measurements. This study showed that overweight and HT were already found in the present population of young Algerian adults. Most body indicators were highly associated with BP, but simple anthropometric measurements appeared to be particularly useful to predict BP.

Avocado is a fruit rich in dietary fibre, potassium, Mg, mono and PUFA and bioactive phytochemicals, which are nutritional components that have been associated with cardiovascular health. Yet, despite the boom in avocado consumption, we lack evidence on its association with CVD risk in the general population. To estimate the prospective association between avocado consumption and incident hypertension in Mexican women, we estimated the association in participants from the Mexican Teachers’ Cohort who were ≥ 25 years, free of hypertension, CVD and cancer at baseline (n 67 383). We assessed baseline avocado consumption with a semi-quantitative FFQ (never to six or more times per week). Incident hypertension cases were identified if participants self-reported a diagnosis and receiving treatment. To assess the relation between categories of avocado consumption (lowest as reference) and incident hypertension, we estimated incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95 % CI using Poisson regression models and adjusting for confounding. We identified 4002 incident cases of hypertension during a total of 158 706 person-years for a median follow-up of 2·2 years. The incidence rate of hypertension was 25·1 cases per 1000 person-years. Median avocado consumption was 1·0 (interquartile range: 0·23, 1·0) serving per week (half an avocado). After adjustment for confounding, consuming 5 + servings per week of avocado was associated with a 17 % decrease in the rate of hypertension, compared with non- or low consumers (IRR = 0·83; 95 % CI: 0·70, 0·99; P trend = 0·01). Frequent consumption of avocado was associated with a lower incidence of hypertension.

Beetroot juice (BRJ) has been demonstrated to decrease blood pressure (BP) due to the high inorganic nitrate content. This pilot randomized crossover trial aimed to investigate the effect of two different high nitrate vegetable juices on plasma nitrate concentrations and BP in healthy adults. Eighteen healthy volunteers were randomized to receive 115 ml of BRJ or 250 ml of green leafy vegetable juice for 7 d which contained similar amounts of nitrate (340 mg) daily. Blood samples were collected, and clinic BP measured at baseline and at the end of each juice consumption. Daily home BP assessment was conducted 2 h after juice consumption. Nitrate and nitrite concentrations were analysed using a commercially available kit on a Triturus automated ELISA analyser. Hills and Armitage analysis was used for the two-period crossover design and paired sample t-tests were performed to compare within-group changes. Plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations significantly increased and there was a significant reduction in clinic and home systolic blood pressure (SBP) mean during the BRJ period (P-values 0⋅004 and 0⋅002, respectively). Home diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reduced significantly during green leafy vegetable juice consumption week (P-value 0⋅03). The difference between groups did not reach statistical significance during the formal crossover analysis adjusted for period effects. BRJ and green leafy vegetable juice may reduce SBP or DBP, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two juices, although this was only a pilot study.

Oxidative stress along the gut-kidney axis is a risk factor for developing arterial hypertension in offspring from dams fed a high-fat diet. Considering the antioxidant capacity of probiotic strains, this study evaluated the effects of a daily multistrain formulation with Limosilactobacillus fermentum 139, 263, and 296 on blood pressure (BP), renal function, and oxidative stress and along the gut-kidney axis in male offspring from dams fed a high-fat high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet during pregnancy and lactation. Dams were fed a diet control or HFHC diet during pregnancy and lactation. At 100 days of age, part of the male offspring from dams fed a HFHC diet received Limosilactobacillus fermentum formulation for 4 weeks (HFHC + Lf) daily. After the 4-week intervention, BP (tail-cuff plethysmography) and urinary and biochemical variables were measured. In addition, malondialdehyde levels, enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense (thiols content) were measured in the colon and renal cortex. Male offspring from dams fed a HFHC had increased blood pressure, impaired renal function, and oxidative stress along the gut-kidney axis. Administration of Limosilactobacillus fermentum reduced systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure levels and alleviated renal function impairment and oxidative stress along the gut-kidney axis in male offspring from dams fed a HFHC diet. Administration of Limosilactobacillus fermentum formulation attenuated programmed hypertension in the HFHC group through oxidative stress modulation along the gut-kidney axis.

Hypertension is considered one of the most persistent public health issues and the single largest contributor to avoidable morbidity and mortality in India. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension in youths (15-29 years) by gender and rural-urban place of residence. Data from the fourth round of the National Family and Health Survey – 2015-16 (n = 395,207) was utilised for the study. After estimation of the stratified prevalence of hypertension by various characteristics, multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the correlates of hypertension. The results revealed that the prevalence of hypertension in youths at the national level varied from 9.16% (Meghalaya) to 3.34% (Delhi). The stratified analysis suggests pronounced gender differences in the prevalence of hypertension among youth with insignificant rural-urban differences, although the prevalence was higher in urban areas. Overall, the prevalence of hypertension was found higher for male youths living in urban areas (7.82%) and females in rural areas (5.08%). Concurrently, results from regression analysis also suggest higher odds of hypertension for males residing in urban areas for a variety of demographic, socioeconomic, and health-risk factors. Advancing age, having no education, living in the northeast region, being overweight/obese and high blood glucose level was significantly associated with a greater likelihood of hypertension for both the gender and place of residence. Public health awareness regarding blood pressure needs to be tailored differently for both males and females considering the place of residence. The study suggests that more research should focus on blood pressure/hypertension among children, adolescents and youth since they point towards adult blood pressure patterns.