Dietary sodium intake remains high in Brazil: Data from the Brazilian National Dietary Surveys, 2008-2009 and 2017-2018

Abstract

Reducing salt intake is considered one of the most cost-effective interventions to decrease morbidity and mortality resulting from noncommunicable diseases. This study aimed to describe changes in sodium intake in the Brazilian population using data from the National Dietary Surveys (NDS) conducted in 2008-2009 and 2017-2018. We hypothesized that over the 10-year period evaluated, sodium intake has remained high in Brazil. Nationwide representative samples of 34,003 and 46,164 individuals (aged ≥10 years) from NDS 2008-2009 and 2017-2018, respectively, were evaluated. Food consumption data were obtained from 2 nonconsecutive food records (NDS 2008-2009) and two 24-hour food recalls (NDS 2017-2018). Trends, percentiles of distribution, and proportions of the population exceeding the age-specific tolerable upper intake level for sodium were estimated. Dietary sodium intake was also estimated as a function of energy intake (mg/1000 kcal). Overall, mean crude daily sodium intake was slightly lower in 2017-2018 than in 2008-2009 (2489 mg/d vs. 2529 mg/d). The decrease in sodium intake (mg/day) was statistically significant (P < .05) only among female adolescents and subjects in the highest income level. Additionally, an overall statistically significant increase in dietary sodium density was observed independent of age, sex, and income level for energy-adjusted data (P < .05). Our findings indicate that sodium intake has not significantly changed over time in the Brazilian population; thus, policies aimed at reducing sodium intake in Brazil are necessary.