High salt consumption endangers US kids - study

WASHINGTON DC - Children in the United States consume too much salt, putting them at risk for hypertension and other health problems, according to a study published Monday in the science review Pediatrics.

The study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that kids between the ages of eight and 18 took in an average of 3,387 milligrams of sodium a day, more than twice the 1,500 daily recommended by doctors.

The study monitored the diets of 6,235 youths and found that their sodium intake was about the same as that of adults, with more than three-quarters of the salt coming from processed and fast foods.

Too much salt is linked to high blood pressure -- a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke and several other problems which were once found almost exclusively in adults, but which are now increasingly seen in children.

The risk of high blood pressure was particularly high among overweight and obese youths, the CDC said.

Health officials in the United States called the study's findings alarming.

"It's very disturbing that this nation's children and teens consume too much salt in their diets at school and home," said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association (AHA)

"High blood pressure, once viewed as an adult illness is now affecting more young people because of high sodium diets and increasing obesity," she said.

"While new nutrition standards for school meals are helping, progress is slow. This study strongly underscores the need to move faster because our kids are on an early path to heart attacks and strokes."

The AHA urged the US Food and Drug Administration to set mandatory limits on the sodium content of foods and urged federal authorities to make the reduction of sodium a national priority.

source: interaksyon.com

90% of Americans eat too much salt: study

WASHINGTON — About 90% of Americans eat too much salt every day, and the top food offenders include cheeseburgers, pizza, bread, deli meat and potato chips, U.S. health officials say.

The average American eats about 3,300 milligrams of sodium per day, and that does not include salt added from the shaker on the table, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vital Signs report.

U.S. guidelines recommend that people limit sodium to less than 2,300 milligrams per day.

High risk populations—including African-Americans, people 51 and older and those with with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease—should stick to 1,500 milligrams daily.

“Too much sodium raises blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke,” said CDC director Thomas Frieden.

“These diseases kill more than 800,000 Americans each year and contribute an estimated $273 billion in health care costs.”

The report pointed to 10 types of food that add up to more than 40% of the nation’s sodium intake.

Poultry, soups, cheese, pasta dishes, meatloaf rounded out the top 10.

Some 65% of Americans’ sodium comes from food sold in stores, and 25% comes from meals in restaurants.

The CDC urged people to check labels for salt content, eat more fresh vegetables without sauce, and limit consumption of processed foods.

source: japantoday.com