title: Early adulthood: an overlooked age group in national sodium reduction initiatives in South Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  South Korean's sodium consumption level is more than twice the upper limit level suggested by the WHO. Steep increases in the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in Korea necessitate more effective sodium reduction programs. This study was conducted in order to compare sodium intake-related eating behaviors and key psychosocial factors according to age group and gender.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using an online survey, a total of 1,564 adults (20-59 years old) considered to be geographically representative of South Korea were recruited and surveyed. The major outcomes were perceived behaviors, knowledge, intentions, and self-efficacy related to sodium intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that perceived behavior and level of self-efficacy related to low sodium consumption differed by age and gender. Female participants showed better behavior and intention towards low sodium intake than male counterparts. Young participants in their 20s showed the lowest intention to change their current sodium intake as well as lowest self-efficacy measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future sodium reduction interventions should be developed with tailored messages targeting different age and gender groups. Specifically, interventions can be planned and implemented at the college level or for workers in their early career to increase their intention and self-efficacy as a means of preventing future health complications associated with high sodium intake.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Society, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea.
authors.forename: Sohyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Education, Kyonggi University, Gyeonggi 443-760, Korea.
authors.forename: Jounghee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Food Nutrition and Dietary Safety Bureau, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk 363-700, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Il
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Food Nutrition and Dietary Safety Bureau, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk 363-700, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Food Nutrition and Dietary Safety Bureau, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk 363-700, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Eon
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Byun
authors.affiliation: Food Nutrition and Dietary Safety Bureau, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk 363-700, Korea.
authors.forename: Baeg-Won
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Society, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea. ; Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-791, Korea.
authors.forename: Bo Youl
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Food Nutrition and Dietary Safety Bureau, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk 363-700, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Kyung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Early adulthood; South Korea; self-efficacy; social marketing; sodium intake