- Center on Health Equity and Access
- Clinical
- Health Care Cost
- Health Care Delivery
- Insurance
- Policy
- Technology
- Value-Based Care
Most Americans Exceed Dietary Recommendations for Salt, CDC Finds
The findings on salt intake were timed to coincide with the release of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
With the release of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans—and a call for everyone to limit sodium intake—comes research from CDC that shows just how hard this will be, based on what the average person consumes today.
Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for persons at least 2 years old, collected from 2009 to 2012, found that 89% of adults and 90% of children exceed the recommended levels, which are no more than 2300 mg for those age 14 and older and less for those age 13 and younger.
Those with hypertension should not have more than 1500 mg of sodium per day, yet the survey found that 86% have more than 2300 mg a day—higher than the level desired for persons who don’t have high blood pressure.
During a briefing with reporters about the 2015 guidelines, administration officials said the typical American consumes 3400 mg of sodium a day.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is defined as a mean systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, mean diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher, or self-reported use of antihypertensive therapy. Prehypertension is defined as systolic BP of 120-139 mmHg or mean diastolic mmHg of 80-89 mmHg.
In conducting the survey, results were gathered for 14,728 participants, although results for children age 2-5 years were reported by a proxy and results for children 6-11 years were reported with a proxy’s assistance. Sodium and caloric intake was based on dietary recall.
More adult men (98%) than women (80%) consumed excess sodium, and intake was higher among those who consumed more calories. Consumption was lowest among very young children, ages 2-3 years, but soared later on, as 92% to 94% of those up to 18 consumed excess sodium.
Sodium intake tapered off after age 50, but frequently still exceeded the recommended level of 2300 mg a day, despite the increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Results found that the sources of sodium were consistent with findings from prior years: breads and rolls, deli meats, pizza, poultry, soups, sandwiches, cheese, pasta dishes, meat dishes, and savory snacks.
Reference
Jackson SL, Coleman King SM, Zhao L, Cogswell ME. Prevalence of excess sodium intake in the United States, NHANES, 2009-2012. MMWR, 2016; 64(52):1393-1397.
Beyond Insulin: The Impact of Next-Generation Diabetes Technology
April 17th 2024Experts explain how new diabetes technologies like continuous glucose monitors are transforming care beyond intensive insulin therapy, offering personalized insights and improving outcomes for patients of all treatment levels.
Read More
For National Women’s Health Week, One Company Emphasizes Cardiovascular Risk Management
May 10th 2022On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with Joanne Armstrong, MD, MPH, vice president and chief medical officer for Women’s Health and Genomics at CVS Health, on the distinct pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease in women and how her own health experiences have influenced her perspective on cardiovascular disease management.
Listen
How Can Employers Leverage the DPP to Improve Diabetes Rates?
February 15th 2022On this episode of Managed Care Cast, Jill Hutt, vice president of member services at the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health, explains the Coalition’s efforts to reduce diabetes rates through the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).
Listen
