Risk Communication Division, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Building 2, 37 Guangqu Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland.
Public Health Nutr. 2020 Jun;23(8):1450-1459. doi: 10.1017/S1368980019003689. Epub 2020 Jan 13.
Globally, China is among the 'saltiest' nations. In order to support current nationwide salt reduction initiatives, we investigated Chinese consumers' knowledge, beliefs and behaviours related to salt intake and salt reduction.
A cross-sectional face-to-face survey was carried out, focusing on salt knowledge, beliefs and behaviours related to salt intake and salt reduction, perceptions of salt reduction responsibility and support for different national strategies.
The survey was carried out in China mainland.
Consumers (n 2444) from six of seven major geographical regions in China participated in the survey. After data cleaning, a sample of 2430 was included in the final analysis.
A majority of Chinese consumers believed that salt added during home cooking was the biggest contributor to their salt intake. Knowledge gaps existed in the awareness of salt hidden in certain foods and flavouring products. Chinese consumers in general were interested in lowering their salt intake. They were aware of salt reduction tools, but the adoption level was low. Consumers expressed strong support for promotion of salt-restriction spoons and public education, but not fiscal policies (e.g. salt-related tax or subsidies). In terms of individual differences, education status demonstrated a substantial impact on salt reduction knowledge and behaviour.
There is still big room to 'shake' Chinese consumers' salt habit. The present study provides important evidence and consumer insights to support China's efforts to meet its salt reduction targets.
在全球范围内，中国属于“盐摄入量较高”的国家之一。为了支持当前全国范围内的减盐倡议，我们调查了中国消费者与盐摄入量和减盐相关的知识、信念和行为。
横断面面对面调查，重点关注与盐摄入量和减盐相关的盐知识、信念和行为、对减盐责任的看法以及对不同国家策略的支持。
中国大陆。
来自中国七大地理区域中的六个地区的消费者（n=2444）参与了这项调查。在数据清理后，共有 2430 名样本纳入最终分析。
大多数中国消费者认为家庭烹饪中添加的盐是导致其盐摄入量增加的最大原因。他们对某些食物和调味料中隐藏的盐的认识存在差距。总的来说，中国消费者有兴趣降低盐摄入量。他们了解减盐工具，但采用率较低。消费者强烈支持推广限盐勺和公众教育，但不支持财政政策（如盐相关税收或补贴）。在个体差异方面，教育程度对减盐知识和行为有显著影响。
改变中国消费者的盐习惯仍有很大空间。本研究为支持中国实现减盐目标提供了重要证据和消费者见解。
