Assessment of a Salt Reduction Intervention on Adult Population Salt Intake in Fiji

Nutrients

Colin Bell¹  Marj Moodie¹  Wendy Snowdon¹  Jimaima Schultz²  Arti Pillay³  Jillian Wate³  Arleen Sukhu³  Gary Ma⁴  Kris Rogers⁵  Joseph Alvin Santos⁵  Jacqui Webster⁵  Kathy Trieu⁵ 

[1] Global Obesity Centre, Deakin University, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia;Independent Nutrition Consultant, Suva, Fiji;Pacific Research Centre for the Prevention of Obesity and Noncommunicable Diseases (C-POND), Fiji National University, Nasinu, Suva, Fiji;School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Campbell town, Sydney 2560, Australia;The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia;

关键词: population sodium intake;    salt reduction;    nutrition intervention;    Pacific Islands;    behavior change;    health policy;    salt targets;    blood pressure;    hypertension;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu9121350

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Reducing population salt intake is a global public health priority due to the potential to save lives and reduce the burden on the healthcare system through decreased blood pressure. This implementation science research project set out to measure salt consumption patterns and to assess the impact of a complex, multi-faceted intervention to reduce population salt intake in Fiji between 2012 and 2016. The intervention combined initiatives to engage food businesses to reduce salt in foods and meals with targeted consumer behavior change programs. There were 169 participants at baseline (response rate 28.2%) and 272 at 20 months (response rate 22.4%). The mean salt intake from 24-h urine samples was estimated to be 11.7 grams per day (g/d) at baseline and 10.3 g/d after 20 months (difference: −1.4 g/day, 95% CI −3.1 to 0.3, p = 0.115). Sub-analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in female salt intake in the Central Division but no differential impact in relation to age or ethnicity. Whilst the low response rate means it is not possible to draw firm conclusions about these changes, the population salt intake in Fiji, at 10.3 g/day, is still twice the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended maximum intake. This project also assessed iodine intake levels in women of child-bearing age and found that they were within recommended guidelines. Existing policies and programs to reduce salt intake and prevent iodine deficiency need to be maintained or strengthened. Monitoring to assess changes in salt intake and to ensure that iodine levels remain adequate should be built into future surveys.

【 授权许可】

Unknown