Are Demographic, Psychosocial, and Behavioral Factors Associated with Urinary Salt Excretion in Japanese Workers?

Abstract

Although high salt intake is a major public health problem, little is known about the predictors of salt intake in Japanese. The present study aims to investigate the association of demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors with urinary salt excretion in Japanese workers. From September to November 2014, a self-administered questionnaire was completed by Japanese workers at 8 workplaces in Niigata, Japan. Demographic factors (shift work, household income, family structure, the person responsible for cooking, and smoking habit) were assessed by questionnaire. Psychosocial factors (self-efficacy, perceived social support, and knowledge) were measured using a scale similar to items from an existing scale. Behavioral factors (intake frequency of foods and alcohol, and general dietary behavior) were assessed using a validated, brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Estimated 24-hour urinary salt excretion was calculated from sodium and creatinine concentrations in second morning void or spot urine samples. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the association of factors with urinary salt excretion while adjusting for age and body mass index. Of 457 respondents, 406 participants’ data were analyzed. Urinary salt excretion was not associated with any demographic and psychosocial factors. The intake frequency of pickled vegetables and buckwheat noodles, and the amount of soup consumed with noodles were significantly and positive association with urinary salt excretion in women. Conversely, amount of soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce used at the table was significantly and negative association with urinary salt excretion in men. The association with salt intake was found only behavioral factors in Japanese workers.