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Child health is seriously endangered by too much salt
For a long time, doctors already advise that people should not consume too much salt. Researchers have now found that high salt intake in children in later life increases the risk of heart disease. In addition, the experts noted that nearly 90 percent of all examined children take too much salt.
The scientists of U.S. Patents Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found in an investigation that children often eat too much salt. This increased consumption puts children at risk for heart disease later in life. The physicians published the results of their survey in the journal "Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics".
Dietary guidelines advise against high salt intake. Researchers now found that most children eat too much salt. This can cause high blood pressure in later life and then lead to heart disease. (Image: HandmadePictures / fotolia.com) American survey: 90 percent of children ingest too much salt
Almost 90 percent of all children in the United States consume more than the recommended amount of salt. This is often due to pizza, cold meats, processed snacks and soups, explain the authors. We already know that almost all Americans, regardless of their age, race, and sex, consume more sodium than is recommended for a healthy diet, author Zerleen Quader states. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Physicians analyze data from more than 2,100 children
Researchers analyzed data from more than 2,100 children aged six to 18 years old for their study. The average salt intake of these children was 3.256 milligrams (mg) per day. It was not considered the salt, which is added to the meal at the table, say the authors. The recommended salt intake for children varies from 1,900 mg to 2,300 mg per day, depending on the age of the children.
Boys eat more salt than girls
The average level of salt intake was particularly high in adolescents aged 14 to 18 (3,565 mg daily). Girls had a much lower daily intake than boys. Girls consume 2,919 mg per day, while in boys the salt intake was 3,584 mg per day.
At which meals children take a lot of salt?
39 percent of salt intake in children accounted for the dinner. Lunch was responsible for 31 percent of salt intake, explain the doctors. About 15 percent of the salt was absorbed through breakfast and snacks.
What kind of foods do children use to eat such high amounts of salt??
Eighty-five percent of children's daily salt intake is through food purchased at grocery stores, the researchers say. Fast food and pizza account for 16 percent, and school cafeteria food accounts for about 10 percent of daily salt intake.
High salt intake increases risk of heart disease
Salt can increase blood pressure in some people. Earlier research has already shown that one in nine children 8 to 17 years old already have high blood pressure. This increases the risk of adult hypertension later in life. High blood pressure (hypertension) then increases the risk of heart disease, add the physicians.
Reduced salt intake is a key strategy for reducing cardiovascular disease
Reduction of sodium is considered a key public health strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, reducing salt consumption can be a real challenge for those affected, explain the researchers.
Choose healthier meals with less salt for your kids
Parents should provide their children with a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Food should generally contain little sodium. Nutritional information can also be requested, for example, in restaurants to find healthier foods that do not contain too much salt, the authors explain. (As)