Fish consumption is inversely associated with stroke in Korean adults: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013 to 2021

Abstract

There is growing evidence supporting a potential role of fish consumption in relation to stroke risk. Several studies have examined the association between fish consumption and stroke risk in various populations, but none have been conducted in Koreans. We hypothesized that there may also be an inverse association between fish consumption and stroke risk in Korean adults. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013 to 2021. A total of 30,143 adults aged 19 to 64 years were included in the analysis. Fish consumption was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall, and the subjects were categorized into four groups based on their total fish consumption (0, 0≤ to <1/2, 1/2≤ to <1, ≥1 serving/d). Stroke status was assessed using questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for physician-diagnosed stroke. After adjusting for covariates, high fish consumption was associated with 46% lower odds of stroke in Korean adults compared with no fish consumption (OR 0.54; 95% CI, 0.31-0.94, P for trend = .041). A similar inverse association was found in male adults (OR 0.47; 95% CI, 0.23-0.97, P for trend = .042), and an inverse association between moderate fish consumption and stroke risk was found in female adults (OR 0.22; 95% CI, 0.06-0.78). Our findings suggest that high fish consumption is associated with lower odds of stroke in Korean adults, particularly in men, and moderate fish consumption was associated with lower odds of stroke in women.