Progress toward sodium reduction in the United States
Date
2012
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Organización Panamericana de la Salud, Washington, DC
Abstract
The average adult in the United States of America consumes well above the recommended daily limit of sodium. Average sodium intake is about 3 463 mg/day, as compared to the 2010 dietary guidelines for Americans recommendation of < 2 300 mg/day. A further reduction to 1 500 mg/day is advised for people 51 years or older; African Americans; and people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. In the United States of America, the problem of excess sodium intake is related to the food supply. Most sodium consumed comes from packaged, processed, and restaurant foods and therefore is in the product at the time of purchase. This paper describes sodium reduction policies and programs in the United States at the federal, state, and local levels; efforts to monitor the health impact of sodium reduction; ways to assess consumer knowledge, attitudes, and behavior; and how these activities depend on and inform global efforts to reduce sodium intake. Reducing excess sodium intake is a public health opportunity that can save lives and health care dollars in the United States and globally. Future efforts, including sharing successes achieved and barriers identified in the United States and globally, may quicken and enhance progress.
Description
item.page.type
Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
item.page.format
Text
Keywords
SODIUM, WORLD HEALTH, UNITED STATES, SODIUM INTAKE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, DIETARY, PROCESSED FOOD, FOOD HABITS, PUBLIC HEALTH
Citation
Levings, J., Cogswell, M., Curtis, C.J., Gunn, J., Neiman, A., & Angell, S.Y. (2012). Progress toward sodium reduction in the United States. Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública, 32(4), 301-306.doi:10.1590/S1020-49892012001000009