Assessment of Sodium and Potassium Intakes in Children Aged 6 to 18 Years by 24 h Urinary Excretion in City of Rabat, Morocco.

Naima Saeid,Hakim Belghiti,Asmae Elhamdouchi,Mohammed Elmzibri,Hassan Aguenaou,Kaoutar Benjeddou,Hasnae Benkirane,Abdeslam Hamrani,Youness Taboz,Khalid El Kari,Hicham El Berri,Qandoussi Latifa,Amina Bouziani

doi:10.1155/2018/8687192

Abstract

Background The incidence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has greatly increased, mainly due to high level of dietary sodium. Thus, reduction of sodium intake in population has been recognized as one of the most cost-effective strategies to reduce NCDs. The aim of this study was to estimate sodium and potassium consumption in a sample of Moroccan children as a baseline study to implement national strategy for salt intake reduction. Methods The study was conducted on 131 children aged 6–18 years recruited from Rabat and its region. Sodium excretion and potassium excretion were measured on 24 h urinary collection, and the creatinine excretion was used to validate completeness of urine collections. Results The average of urinary sodium was 2235.3 ± 823.2 mg/day, and 50% of children consume more than 2 g/d of sodium (equivalent to 5 g/day of salt), recommended by the WHO. However, daily urinary excretion of potassium was 1431 ± 636.5 mg/day, and 75% of children consume less than adequate intake. Sodium consumption increased significantly with age. Of particular interest, 46.7% of children aged 6–8 years and 49.3% of children aged 9–13 years consume more than the corresponding upper limits. Conclusions Children have high sodium and low potassium status. There is evidence of the urgent need to implement a strategy for reduction of dietary sodium intake in Morocco.

Highlights

Worldwide, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity [1] accounting globally for 60% of all deaths and 43% of disease burden [2]
It is widely accepted that an excessive intake of salt is associated with a broad range of NCDs, such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, and osteoporosis [4, 5]
E study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee for Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Morocco, and written informed consent was obtained from each parent of the recruited child

Summary

Introduction

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity [1] accounting globally for 60% of all deaths and 43% of disease burden [2]. It is widely accepted that an excessive intake of salt is associated with a broad range of NCDs, such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, and osteoporosis [4, 5]. Most individuals suffering from higher blood pressure have been shown to have high sodium and low potassium consumptions [6]. A high consumption of potassium, commonly from fruits and vegetables, can counteract the negative effects of high sodium intake on blood pressure [7, 8]. “High sodium and low potassium intake among Italian children: relationship with age, body mass and blood pressure,” PLoS One, vol 10, no. A. MacGregor, “Salt intake of children and adolescents in South London: consumption levels and dietary sources,” Hypertension, vol 63, no. MacGregor, “Salt intake of children and adolescents in South London: consumption levels and dietary sources,” Hypertension, vol 63, no. 5, pp. 1026–1032, 2014

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