The largest statistical mediator of the difference in hypertension incidence between black and white US adults was the Southern dietary pattern, a recent study found. The mediation analysis compared incident hypertension among 6,897 individuals (mean age 62 years; 26% black adults, 55% women) without hypertension at baseline (2003-2007) and participating in a follow-up visit 9.4 years (median) later. Researchers found:

• The Southern dietary pattern was the largest mediating factor for differences in the incidence of hypertension, accounting for 51.6% of the excess risk among black men and 29.2% of the excess risk among black women.
• Among black men, a higher dietary ratio of sodium to potassium and an education level of high school graduate or less each mediated 12.3% of the excess risk of incident hypertension.
• Among women, waist circumference and body mass index were also key factors.