Abstract
The maximum content of sodium in selected processed foods (PF) in Argentina was limited by a law enacted in 2013. Data about intake of these and other foods are necessary for policy planning, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring. We examined data from the CESCAS I population-based cohort study to assess the main dietary sources among PF and frequency of discretionary salt use by sex, age, and education attainment, before full implementation of the regulations in 2015. We used a validated 34-item FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire) to assess PF intake and discretional salt use. Among 2127 adults in two Argentinean cities, aged 35–76 years, mean salt intake from selected PFs was 4.7 g/day, higher among male and low education subgroups. Categories of foods with regulated maximum limits provided near half of the sodium intake from PFs. Use of salt (always/often) at the table and during cooking was reported by 9% and 73% of the population, respectively, with higher proportions among young people. Reducing salt consumption to the target of 5 g/day may require adjustments to the current regulation (reducing targets, including other food categories), as well as reinforcing strategies such as education campaigns, labeling, and voluntary agreement with bakeries.
Highlights
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the main contributor to mortality and morbidity globally [1,2] and interventions to reduce the burden of NCDs are highly cost-effective [3]
While bread from bakeries is known to be the major source of sodium in Argentina, our study set forth identifying other food sources of sodium to monitor and develop strategies to reduce sodium intake in our population
The results of our study have helped to identify the main sources of sodium intake among adults in two Argentinean cities
Summary
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the main contributor to mortality and morbidity globally [1,2] and interventions to reduce the burden of NCDs are highly cost-effective [3]. Elevated sodium intake has been associated with a number of NCDs (including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke), and decreasing sodium intake may reduce blood pressure and the risk of associated NCDs [4]. In Argentina, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the first cause of death in the general population [5] and 37% of all cardiovascular deaths in Argentina are attributable to hypertension [6]. No studies have measured total sodium consumption in a population-based sample of Argentina, consensus among experts suggests that current sodium intake is at least double of the WHO 2000 mg/day recommendation [8].
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