title: Salt intake and blood pressure in the University of Asuncion-Paraguay youths: a preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High salt intake is a major risk factor related to many cardiovascular and renal diseases. World Action on Salt and Health is a newly formed coalition of heath professionals whose goal is to implement changes in salt consumption in their respective countries for the goal of reducing blood pressure. In the same vein, we have decided to study the amount of salt intake in Paraguay to determine if a relationship exists between salt intake and blood pressure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A preliminary study was undertaken to determine salt intake in Paraguay and its relationship with blood pressure, in order to implement a national program to combat hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, observational study of 72 students from various universities in Asuncion (age range 22-30 years). Sodium excretion in 24-hour urine samples and blood pressure were measured. Assuming a steady state, urinary sodium excretion was converted into grams of salt ingested per day.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 7% of the 72 participants had a salt intake less than the recommended maximum of 5 g/day. Forty-six percent had a blood pressure between 120-139 mmHg and 3% had stage 1 hypertension. There was no significant relationship between sodium excretion and blood pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Salt intake and blood pressure were found to be significantly elevated in young adults in Paraguay and argues for the importance of instituting a national campaign to reduce salt intake in this society.
authors: Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay.
authors: Tania
authors: T
authors: Campagnoli
authors: Lorena
authors: L
authors: Gonzalez
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Santa Cruz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010239:Paraguay; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary