More than 90 per cent of children in the US in the 6-18 age group consume more sodium than recommended. And this puts them at risk for developing high blood pressure and heart disease later in life, according to a Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vital Signs report.

Using data from CDC’s 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, CDC researchers determined that about 43 per cent of sodium consumed by children comes from the 10 food items they eat most often: pizza, bread and rolls, cold cuts/cured meats, savory snacks, sandwiches, cheese, chicken patties/nuggets/tenders, pasta mixed dishes, Mexican mixed dishes and soups.

“Too many children are consuming way too much sodium, and the result will be risks of high blood pressure and heart disease in the future,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden. “Most sodium is from processed and restaurant food, not the salt shaker. Reducing sodium intake will help our children avoid tragic and expensive health problems,” he added.

Source of sodium

The report further added that most sodium is already in food before it is purchased or ordered.

Approximately 65 per cent comes from store foods, 13 per cent from fast food and pizza restaurant foods, and 9 per cent from school cafeteria foods. To help reduce the daily sodium intake of children, parents and caregivers, schools, communities, and places that sell, make or serve food, have been encouraged to take steps to ensure more low-sodium options. For example, parents can inculcate healthy eating habits in their children by providing a diet high in fruits and vegetables without added sodium, a CDC note said.

Source: CDC

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW