Abstract
BackgroundInformation on consumer’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviours (KABs) related to salt can be used to inform awareness and education campaigns and serve as a baseline measure to monitor changes in KABs over time. The aim of this study was to determine KABs related to salt intake among Victorian adults.MethodsCross-sectional survey conducted in Victorian adults aged 18–65 years. Participants were recruited from shopping centres located in Melbourne and Geelong and via online methods (Facebook and Consumer Research Panel) to complete an online survey assessing KABs related to dietary salt. Descriptive statistics (mean (SD) or n (%)) were used to report survey findings.ResultsA total of 2398 participants provided a valid survey (mean age 43 years (SD 13), 57% female). The majority (80%) were born in Australia and 63% were the main household grocery shopper. The majority (89%) were aware of the health risks associated with a high salt intake. Eighty three percent believed that Australians eat too much salt. Three quarters (75%) correctly identified salt from processed foods as being the main source of salt in the diet. Less than a third (29%) of participants believed their own individual salt intake exceeded dietary recommendations and only 28% could correctly identify the maximum recommended daily intake for salt. Just under half (46%) of participants were concerned about the amount of salt in food. Almost two thirds (61%) of participants believed that there should be laws which limit the amount of salt added to manufactured foods and 58% agreed that it was difficult to find lower salt options when eating out.ConclusionsThe findings of this study serve as a baseline assessment of KABs related to salt intake in Victorian adults and can be used to assess changes in salt related KABs over time. Public concern about salt is low as many people remain unaware of their own salt intake. An increased awareness of the excessive amount of salt consumed and increased availability of lower salt foods are likely to reduce population salt intake.
Highlights
Information on consumer’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviours (KABs) related to salt can be used to inform awareness and education campaigns and serve as a baseline measure to monitor changes in KABs over time
Participants completed an online survey assessing basic demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to dietary salt intake
Our findings demonstrate that while certain aspects of salt related knowledge are well understood among Victorian adults, a number of gaps exist which vary across sociodemographic characteristics that could be targeted in consumer awareness campaigns
Summary
Information on consumer’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviours (KABs) related to salt can be used to inform awareness and education campaigns and serve as a baseline measure to monitor changes in KABs over time. The World Health Organization recommends a dietary salt intake of no more than 5 g/day for healthy adults [1]. Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials have shown that among people with hypertension a 4.4 g/d reduction in salt intake (from a usual intake level of 9.5 g/d) significantly lowers systolic blood pressure by 5.4 mmHg millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure by 2.8 mmHg [12]. Among normotensive people a 4.4 g/d reduction (from a usual intake of 8.9 g/d) significantly lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 2.4 mmHg and 1.0 mmHg, respectively [12]. Small shifts in the distribution of population blood pressure could provide considerable cardiovascular health gains [13, 14] and a 6 g/d reduction in salt intake would reduce stroke by 24% and coronary heart disease by 18% [14]. In 2013, Australia joined the WHO Member States in a global commitment to reduce population salt intake by 30% by the year 2025 [15]
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