Grains and Potato Consumption in Association with Anthropometric Measures and Blood Pressure in Iranian Children and Adolescents: The CASPIAN-IV Study

Abstract

Background: This study was aimed to investigate the association of consuming white rice and potato, as well as the bread type with anthropometric measures and blood pressure (BP) in a national sample of Iranian children and adolescents.

Methods: This nationwide study was conducted in 2011-2012 among 14,880 students, aged 6-18 years, selected by multistage cluster sampling from 30 provinces of Iran. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist -to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to- height ratio (WHtR), as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were measured. The self-reported frequency consumption of white rice and potato (daily or non-daily), as well as consumed bread type were asked.

Results: The mean (SD) age of participants was 12.47 (3.36). They were consisted of 50.76% girls and 75.57% urban residents. The intake of white rice had significant positive association with anthropometric indices and SBP levels (P-value<0.05). In crude and adjusted models, white rice consumption was significantly associated with BMI (0.29(0.06-0.51 and 0.19(0.02-0.35)). Likewise, significant association existed between the type of the bread and anthropometric indices (except for WHR). Potato consumption was significantly associated with anthropometric indices (except for WHR and WHtR) and BP levels. In adjusted model, potato consumption had significant positive association with BMI. For every increase in the frequency of daily consumption of white rice, 0.19 units were added to BMI.

Conclusion: White rice consumption increases the risk of general and abdominal obesity in children and adolescents. Consequently, for prevention and control of obesity, the consumption of refined grains should be limited by moderating nutrition policies.

Keywords: Grains, High blood pressure, Obesity, Anthropometric indices, Iran