title: Results of a national survey examining Canadians' concern, actions, barriers, and support for dietary sodium reduction interventions.
abstract: Population-wide dietary sodium reduction is considered a priority intervention to address sodium-related chronic diseases. In 2010, the Canadian government adopted a sodium reduction strategy to lower sodium intakes of Canadians; however, there has been a lack of coordinated action in its implementation. Our objective was to evaluate Canadians' concern, actions, reported barriers, and support for government-led policy interventions aimed at lowering sodium intakes. We conducted a survey among Canadians about sodium knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours. Data were weighted to reflect the 2006 Canadian census. Among 2603 respondents, 67.0% were concerned about dietary sodium and 59.3% were currently taking action to limit sodium intake. Those aged 50-59 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-2.72) and 60-69 years (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.05-2.55) were more likely to be concerned about sodium vs younger individuals (20-29 years), as were hypertensive patients vs normotensive patients (OR, 4.13; 95% CI, 3.05-5.59). Older age groups and those with hypertension (OR, 3.48; 95% CI, 2.58-4.69) were also more likely to limit sodium consumption. Common barriers to sodium reduction were limited variety of lower sodium processed (55.5%) and restaurant (65.8%) foods. High support for government-led actions was observed, including interventions for lowering sodium levels in processed (86.6%) and restaurant (72.7%-74.3%) foods, and in food served in public institutions (81.8%-82.3%), and also for public education (80.4%-83.1%). There was much less support for financial incentives and disincentives. In conclusion, these concerns, barriers, and high level of support for government action provide further rationale for multi-sectoral interventions to assist Canadians in lowering their sodium intakes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arcand
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Spencer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Henson
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.forename: Mary R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: L'Abbe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012982:Sodium, Dietary