Ojo Adedayo E, Alfa Vanessa O, Huffman Mark D, Ojji Dike B
Cardiovascular Research Unit, University of Abuja and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, 902101, Abuja, Nigeria.
Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands.
BMC Proc. 2024 Sep 18;18(Suppl 16):18. doi: 10.1186/s12919-024-00303-3.
In line with the WHO Global Action Plan's objective to achieve a 30% relative reduction in the mean population intake of sodium by 2025, the Nigeria Sodium Study (NaSS) team, which aimed to evaluate the implementation and scale-up of national sodium reduction programme, hosted a policy meeting May 22, 2023, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. The aim was to deliberate on strategies for translating data on salt levels in food and dietary patterns, intending to strengthen sodium policies in Nigeria, with the ultimate goal of producing evidence-based information that can effectively guide strategies and policies for sodium reduction.
Policymakers from federal, state, and local government levels attended, as well as representatives from national and international universities and non-governmental organizations. Topics presented and discussed included retail survey data from the NaSS to inform front-of-package labeling, salt targets for packaged food, and best practices for supporting stakeholders in implementing best-practice evidence-informed policymaking.
The meeting brought together 72 participants from 38 organizations, including government ministries and agencies (n = 21), international and non-governmental organizations (n = 6), and international health organizations and institutes (n = 2). Participants took decisive policy actions, including stringent national-level food system monitoring by relevant government agencies, implementing front-of-package labeling for healthier choices, establishing mandatory sodium limits for both packaged and unpackaged foods and school meals, launching diverse sector-wide educational campaigns to reduce salt use, conducting mass mobilization campaigns for awareness, and advocating for salt reduction in fast food outlets. Salt substitutes were also recognized as integral to the comprehensive sodium reduction approach.
To advance policy action, stakeholders should prioritize establishing robust monitoring systems, engage in public awareness campaigns, and collaborate with international organizations for insights. Exploring partnerships, addressing funding challenges, and implementing innovative strategies like low-sodium substitutes are crucial steps toward effective sodium reduction policies in Nigeria.
为了实现世界卫生组织全球行动计划中到2025年将人群平均钠摄入量相对减少30%的目标，旨在评估国家减钠计划实施情况和扩大规模的尼日利亚钠研究（NaSS）团队于2023年5月22日在尼日利亚联邦首都地区阿布贾举办了一次政策会议。会议旨在商讨如何转化食品盐含量和饮食模式数据的策略，以加强尼日利亚的钠政策，最终目标是生成基于证据的信息，有效指导减钠策略和政策。
来自联邦、州和地方政府层面的政策制定者以及国家和国际大学及非政府组织的代表出席了会议。会上展示和讨论的主题包括NaSS的零售调查数据，以用于指导包装正面标签；包装食品的盐含量目标；以及支持利益相关者实施基于最佳实践证据的政策制定的最佳做法。
此次会议汇聚了来自38个组织的72名参与者，包括政府部委和机构（21个）、国际和非政府组织（6个）以及国际卫生组织和机构（2个）。与会者采取了决定性的政策行动，包括相关政府机构对国家层面食品系统进行严格监测；对更健康的选择实施包装正面标签；为包装食品、非包装食品和学校餐食设定强制性钠限量；开展各种全行业教育活动以减少盐的使用；进行大规模动员宣传活动以提高认识；以及倡导快餐门店减少盐的使用。盐替代品也被视为全面减钠方法的重要组成部分。
为推动政策行动，利益相关者应优先建立健全监测系统，开展公众宣传活动，并与国际组织合作以获取见解。探索伙伴关系、应对资金挑战以及实施低钠替代品等创新策略是尼日利亚制定有效减钠政策的关键步骤。
