Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2014

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Nutrition

Committee Chair

David Gee

Second Committee Member

Susan Hawk

Third Committee Member

Daniel Williams

Abstract

The intention of this study is to explore if education attainment is an independent risk factor for hypertension when other risk factors related to hypertension are accounted for. It is hypothesized that education will be an independent risk factor for hypertension even when other risk factors are considered.

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003-2010 was used and analyses were conducted using SAS 9.2. Simple logistic regression analysis revealed that all education categories had significantly lower odds of having hypertension compared to < 9th grade education. Since hypertension risk was affected by gender, ethnicity, age, weight, abdominal obesity, smoking status, income and nutrient intake, these covariates were included in a multiple logistic regression model with educational attainment. In this model, hypertension only trended towards significance for educational attainment.

Although educational attainment may play a role in the prevalence of hypertension disparities, a focus on other risk factors should be emphasized.

Comments

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