Comparison of Different DASH Indices and Prevalence of Hypertension Among a Midwestern Sample of Hispanic Adults

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan has been shown to reduce blood pressure (BP). Several approaches are available to assess DASH accordance, but few have included older Hispanics. Three DASH scoring paradigms (Fung et al. 2008 (FUDASH), Toledo et al. 2007 (TODASH) and Folsom et al. 2007 (FODASH) were calculated based on responses to food frequency questionnaires completed by 169 Hispanics living in Chicago, aged 66 years, 29% of whom were hypertensive. BP, height, and weight, were measured. Using FUDASH scores, 17% were accordant (score of 29-38), using TODASH, 13% were accordant (score of 3-6) and using FODASH scores, 55% were accordant (score of 6-11). When DASH scores were regressed on presence or absence of hypertension, only acculturation and FODASH scores were predictive of hypertension. These results suggest that the choice of the scoring paradigm to assess DASH accordance is critical and the FODASH score warrants further study in this population.