Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship of blood pressure with dietary habit and level of physical fitness of middle-aged male workers by age. The study subjects included 511 male employees who have worked at a company in C City, whose age was more than 40 years old. Between April 10 and May 30. 1998, all of the study subjects measured physical fitness (Balance, strength, power, agility, flexibility and endurance) and blood pressure. A questionnair was administered for dietary habit and socio-demographic characteristics. The average age (SD) of the study subjects was 46.61(3.98) years. The study subjects were classified by age into 3 groups; 40-44 aged group(34.6%), 45-49 aged group(41.3%), and 50-54 aged group (24.1%). The score of dietary habit of 40-44 aged group was 69.77+/-5.82 that of 45-49 aged group was 69.77+/-5.83, and that of 50-54 aged group was 71.85+/-6.82(p=0.005). But age of health physical fitness tend to weaken in the age of 40-44. Systolic(p=.011) and Diastolic blood pressure (p=.011) were significantly increased with age increment. Diastolic blood pressure and dietary habit of 45-49 aged group showed the significant negative-correlation(r=.280. P<0.05). and Diastolic blood pressure and age of health physical fitness of 40-44 aged group showed the significant positive-correlation(r=.182. P<0.05). On the basis of the results of this study. I hope occupational nurses should play an active role to improve dietary habit and physical fitness for prevention of hypertension with increase of age in middle-aged male workers.