[Correlations between dietary salt intake and 24-h urine sodium excretion in a sample of the urban population of Cáceres].

OBJECTIVE

Excessive salt intake is associated with higher levels of AHT and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. WHO recommends consuming less than 5 g/day of salt (equivalent to 2 g Na/day). Identifying foods and behaviours with greater contribution to excess intake would facilitate preventive dietary advice.

DESIGN

Observational study. SITE: Urban Health Center in Cáceres.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

We estimated salt consumption using two food consumption frequency (FFQ) questionnaires, one generic and one with high Na+ content, and a 24 h follow-up survey. We use the Evalfinut program for nutritional evaluation of the diet. We analyzed correlations between estimated salt intake and 24-h urine sodium elimination (gold standard).

RESULTS

92% of the population had consumption higher than the recommendations with intakes equivalent to 9.5 g/day of salt (3.7 g/d of Na). When sodium intake is determined by the Na/K ratio, 79.54% have high intakes. Sodium elimination follows a slightly increasing trend with BMI. The perception of salt consumption is low, 56.3% consider it "adequate". 32.4% add salt to food once served. FFQ underestimate Na intake and targeted surveys provide higher values. The correlation between FFQ and Na urinary elimination is weak.

CONCLUSION

We must reduce salt intake by increasing the perception of consumption, improving knowledge about the salt content in food and identifying target patients of the health council.