Reported use and perceived understanding of sodium information on US nutrition labels.

INTRODUCTION: Comparing nutrition labels and choosing lower sodium foods are tactics to help reduce excessive sodium intake, a major risk factor for hypertension. Our objective was to assess US adult consumers' reported use and perceived understanding of sodium information on nutrition labels by sociodemographic and health status. METHODS: We analyzed responses to questions from 3,729 adults aged 18 years or older participating in 2 national cross-sectional mail panel surveys in 2010. RESULTS: We found that 19.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.2%-21.6%) of respondents agreed they were confused about how to figure out how much sodium is in the foods they eat; 57.9% (95% CI, 55.4%-60.5%) reported that they or the person who shops for their food buy items labeled low salt or low sodium; and 46.8% (95% CI, 44.3%-49.4%) reported they check nutrition labels for sodium content as a tactic to limit salt. Consumers with a high school education or less were more likely than college graduates to report they were confused about sodium content on labels (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.8) and less likely to check labels for sodium as a tactic to limit salt intake (AOR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.6-0.98). CONCLUSION: Most survey respondents in our study reported buying low sodium food items. However, a higher proportion of respondents with low education than respondents with high education reported confusion with and less use of sodium content information, suggesting enhanced efforts may be needed to assist this group. Opportunity exists for health care professionals to educate patients about using and understanding nutrition labels and consuming a diet consistent with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan.

Progress toward sodium reduction in the United States / Progresos hacia la reducción del sodio en los Estados Unidos

The average adult in the United States of America consumes well above the recommended daily limit of sodium. Average sodium intake is about 3 463 mg/day, as compared to the 2010 dietary guidelines for Americans recommendation of < 2 300 mg/day. A further reduction to 1 500 mg/day is advised for people 51 years or older; African Americans; and people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. In the United States of America, the problem of excess sodium intake is related to the food supply. Most sodium consumed comes from packaged, processed, and restaurant foods and therefore is in the product at the time of purchase. This paper describes sodium reduction policies and programs in the United States at the federal, state, and local levels; efforts to monitor the health impact of sodium reduction; ways to assess consumer knowledge, attitudes, and behavior; and how these activities depend on and inform global efforts to reduce sodium intake. Reducing excess sodium intake is a public health opportunity that can save lives and health care dollars in the United States and globally. Future efforts, including sharing successes achieved and barriers identified in the United States and globally, may quicken and enhance progress.

El adulto medio de los Estados Unidos consume una cantidad de sodio muy por encima del límite diario recomendado. La ingesta promedio de sodio es aproximadamente de 3 463 mg/día, en contraste con la recomendación de las Directrices alimentarias del 2010 para estadounidenses que es de menos de 2 300 mg/día. A las personas de 51 años o mayores, los afroestadounidenses, los hipertensos, los diabéticos o los que padecen una nefropatía crónica, se les recomienda una reducción adicional hasta 1 500 mg/día. En los Estados Unidos, el problema de la ingesta excesiva de sodio está relacionado con el suministro en los alimentos. La mayor parte del sodio consumido proviene de los alimentos envasados, procesados y que se sirven en restaurantes y, por consiguiente, ya está en el producto en el momento de la compra. Este artículo describe las políticas y los programas de reducción del sodio en los Estados Unidos a escalas federal, estatal y local; las iniciativas para vigilar la repercusión de la reducción del sodio en la salud; los procedimientos para evaluar los conocimientos, las actitudes y el comportamiento de los consumidores; y cómo estas actividades dependen de las iniciativas a escala mundial para reducir la ingesta de sodio y les proporcionan información. La reducción de la ingesta excesiva de sodio constituye una oportunidad de salud pública que puede salvar vidas y ahorrar dinero destinado a la atención de salud en Estados Unidos y a escala mundial. Las iniciativas futuras, entre ellas el intercambio de información sobre los éxitos logrados y los obstáculos encontrados en los Estados Unidos y a escala mundial, pueden acelerar y estimular el progreso.