Urinary sodium excretion, dietary sources of sodium intake and knowledge and practices around salt use in a group of healthy Australian women.
OBJECTIVE
Strategies that aim to facilitate reduction of the salt content of foods in Australia are hampered by sparse and outdated data on habitual salt intakes. This study assessed habitual sodium intake through urinary excretion analyses, and identified food sources of dietary sodium, as well as knowledge and practices related to salt use in healthy women.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, convenient sample of 76 women aged 20 to 55 years, Wollongong, NSW. Data included a 24 hour urine sample, three-day food diary and a self-administered questionnaire.


RESULTS
Mean Na excretion equated to a NaCl (salt) intake of 6.41 (SD=2.61) g/day; 43% had values <6 g/day. Food groups contributing to dietary sodium were: bread and cereals (27%); dressings/sauces (20%); meat/egg-based dishes (18%); snacks/desserts/extras (11%); and milk and dairy products (11%). Approximately half the sample reported using salt in cooking or at the table. Dietary practices reflected a high awareness of salt-related health issues and a good knowledge of food sources of sodium.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings from a sample of healthy women in the Illawarra indicate that dietary sodium intakes are lower in this group than previously reported in Australia. However, personal food choices and high levels of awareness of the salt reduction messages are not enough to achieve more stringent dietary targets of <4 g salt per day.


CONCLUSIONS
Urinary Na excretion data are required from a larger nationally representative sample to confirm habitual salt intakes. The bread and cereals food group are an obvious target for sodium reduction strategies in manufactured foods.
Charlton
Karen
K
Smart Foods Centre and School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences, University of Wollongong, New South Wales. karenc@uow.edu.au
Yeatman
Heather
H
Houweling
Fiona
F
Guenon
Sophie
S
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015930:Diet Records; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012964:Sodium / Q000652:urine*; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D012964:Sodium