Salt reduction policy for out of home sectors: a supplementary document for the salt reduction strategy to prevent and control non-communicable diseases (NCDS) in Malaysia 2021-2025.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the major cause of death among Malaysians. Reduction of salt intake in populations is one of the most cost-effective strategies in the prevention of CVDs. It is very feasible as it requires low cost for implementation and yet could produce a positive impact on health. Thus, salt reduction initiatives have been initiated since 2010, and two series of strategies have been launched. However, there are issues on its delivery and outreach to the target audience. Further, strategies targeting out of home sectors are yet to be emphasized. Our recent findings on the perceptions, barriers and enablers towards salt reduction among various stakeholders including policy-makers, food industries, food operators, consumers and schools showed that eating outside of the home contributed to high salt intake. Foods sold outside the home generally contain a high amount of salt. Thus, this supplementary document is being proposed to strengthen the Salt Reduction Strategy to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) for Malaysia 2021-2025 by focussing on the strategy for the out-of-home sectors. In this supplementary document, the Monitoring, Awareness and Product (M-A-P) strategies being used by the Ministry of Health (MOH) are adopted with a defined outline of the plan of action and indicators to ensure that targets could be achieved. The strategies will involve inter-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approaches, including monitoring of salt intake and educating consumers, strengthening the current enforcement of legislation on salt/sodium labelling and promoting research on reformulation. Other strategies included in this supplementary document included reformulation through proposing maximum salt targets for 14 food categories. It is hoped that this supplementary document could strengthen the current the Salt Reduction Strategy to Prevent and Control NCDs for Malaysia 2021-2025 particularly, for the out-of-home sector, to achieve a reduction in mean salt intake of the population to 6.0 g per day by 2025.

Perceptions, barriers and enablers on salt reduction in the out-of-home sectors in Malaysia (MySaltOH) from the perspective of street food vendors, caterers and consumers.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the perspectives, barriers and enablers on salt reduction in out-of-home sectors in Malaysia among street food vendors, caterers and consumers. DESIGN: A qualitative study involving twenty-two focus group discussions and six in-depth interviews was conducted, recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive thematic analysis approach was employed to analyse the data. SETTING: Two in-depth interviews and twenty-two focus group discussions were conducted face-to-face. Four in-depth interviews were conducted online. PARTICIPANTS: Focus group discussions were conducted among twenty-three street food vendors, twenty-one caterers and seventy-six consumers of various eateries. In-depth interviews were conducted among two street food vendors and four caterers, individually. RESULTS: Consumers and food operators perceived a high-salt intake within Malaysia's out-of-home food sectors. Food operators emphasised the necessity for a comprehensive salt reduction policy in the out-of-home sector involving all stakeholders. Consumers faced limited awareness and knowledge, counterproductive practices among food operators and challenges in accessing affordable low-Na food products, whereas food operators faced the lack of standardised guidelines and effective enforcement mechanisms and uncooperative consumer practices. Both groups expressed that food quality and price of salt were also the barriers, and they advocated for awareness promotion, enhanced regulation of manufactured food products and stricter enforcement targeting vendors. Consumers also suggested promoting and recognising health-conscious food premises, whereas food operators suggested on knowledge enhancement tailored to them, strategies for gaining consumers acceptance and maintaining food quality. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide valuable insights that serve as foundational evidence for developing and implementing salt reduction policies within Malaysia's out-of-home sectors.

Salt intake, blood pressure and cardiovascular disease mortality in England, 2003-2018.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the changes in salt intake and concomitant changes in blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in England from 2003 to 2018. METHODS: National surveys and death registration data were used for the analysis of salt intake as measured by 24-h urinary sodium excretion (449-1069 participants per year), BP (2651-6738 participants per year) and CVD mortality. RESULTS: A decline in salt intake from 9.38 (SD 4.64) to 7.58 (3.41) g/d was observed between 2003 and 2014 ( P  < 0.01), followed by an increase to 8.39 (4.13) g/d in 2018 ( P  < 0.01). Similar trends in BP and CVD mortality were also observed between 2003 and 2018. SBP/DBP decreased from 125.3 (15.92)/74.48 (11.33) mmHg to 122.57 (14.92)/73.33 (10.75) mmHg between 2003 and 2014 ( P  < 0.01), followed by a plateau up to 2018 [122.04 (14.64)/73.84 (10.54) mmHg, P  > 0.05]. Likewise, a fall in stroke and ischaemic heart disease mortality rates was observed between 2003 and 2014, from 12.24 and 43.44 cases per 100 000, to 8.19 and 27.23 cases per 100 000 ( P  < 0.01), respectively, followed by a plateau afterwards ( P  > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The UK salt reduction programme was initially successful in reducing population salt intake by 19% (from 9.38 g/d in 2003 to 7.58 g/d in 2014). However, in recent years, the programme stalled and thus led to an interruption in the decline of salt intake. BP and CVD mortality reduction was also interrupted when salt reduction stalled. The changes in salt intake may have played an important role in the concomitant changes in BP and CVD mortality. Urgent action is needed to reinvigorate the UK's once world-leading salt reduction programme.

Effect of home cook interventions for salt reduction in China: cluster randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of salt reduction interventions designed for home cooks and family members. DESIGN: Cluster randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Six provinces in northern, central, and southern China from 15 October 2018 to 30 December 2019. PARTICIPANTS: 60 communities from six provinces (10 communities from each province) were randomised; each community comprised 26 people (two people from each of 13 families). INTERVENTIONS: Participants in the intervention group received 12 month interventions, including supportive environment building for salt reduction, six education sessions on salt reduction, and salt intake monitoring by seven day weighed record of salt and salty condiments. The control group did not receive any of the interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Difference between the two groups in change in salt intake measured by 24 hour urinary sodium during the 12 month follow-up. RESULTS: 1576 participants (775 (49.2%) men; mean age 55.8 (standard deviation 10.8) years) from 788 families (one home cook and one other adult in each family) completed the baseline assessment. After baseline assessment, 30 communities with 786 participants were allocated to the intervention group and 30 communities with 790 participants to the control group. During the trial, 157 (10%) participants were lost to follow-up, and the remaining 706 participants in the intervention group and 713 participants in the control group completed the follow-up assessment. During the 12 month follow-up, the urinary sodium excretion decreased from 4368.7 (standard deviation 1880.3) mg per 24 hours to 3977.0 (1688.8) mg per 24 hours in the intervention group and from 4418.7 (1973.7) mg per 24 hours to 4330.9 (1859.8) mg per 24 hours in the control group. Compared with the control group, adjusted mixed linear model analysis showed that the 24 hour urinary sodium excretion in the intervention group was reduced by 336.8 (95% confidence interval 127.9 to 545.7) mg per 24 hours (P=0.002); the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were reduced by 2.0 (0.4 to 3.5) (P=0.01) and 1.1 (0.1 to 2.0) mm Hg (P=0.03), respectively; and the knowledge, attitude, and behaviours in the intervention group improved significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The community based salt reduction package targeting home cooks and family members was effective in lowering salt intake and blood pressure. This intervention has the potential to be widely applied in China and other countries where home cooking remains a major source of salt intake. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800016804.

Consumption of Soft Drinks and Overweight and Obesity Among Adolescents in 107 Countries and Regions.

Importance: Soft drink consumption is associated with weight gain in children and adolescents, but little is known about the association between soft drink consumption and prevalence of the overweight and obesity in adolescents. Objective: To investigate the association of soft drink consumption with overweight and obesity in adolescents enrolled in school (hereafter, school-going adolescents) using country-level and individual-level data. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used data from 3 cross-sectional studies including 107 countries and regions that participated in the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (2009-2017), the European Health Behavior in School-Aged Children study (2017-2018), and the US Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2019). Exposure: Daily soft drink consumption (consuming soft drinks 1 or more times per day or not). Main Outcome and Measure: Overweight and obesity defined by the World Health Organization Growth Reference Data. Results: Among the 107 countries and regions, 65 were low- and middle-income, and 42 were high-income countries and regions, with a total of 405 528 school-going adolescents (mean [SD] age, 14.2 [1.7] years; 196 147 [48.4%] males). The prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescent students varied from 3.3% (95% CI, 2.6 to 4.1) in Cambodia to 64.0% (95% CI, 57.0 to 71.6) in Niue, and the prevalence of adolescent students consuming soft drinks 1 or more times per day varied from 3.3% (95% CI, 2.9 to 3.7) in Iceland to 79.6% (95% CI, 74.0 to 85.3) in Niue. There was a positive correlation between the prevalence of daily soft drink consumption and the prevalence of overweight and obesity (R, 0.44; P < .001). The pooled analysis using individual-level data also showed a statistically significant association between daily soft drink consumption and overweight and obesity (daily soft drink consumption vs nondaily soft drink consumption), with an odds ratio of 1.14 (95% CI, 1.08 to 1.21) among school-going adolescents. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study of 107 countries and regions, the prevalence of daily consumption of soft drinks was associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescent students. Our results, in conjunction with other evidence, suggest that reducing soft drink consumption should be a priority in combating adolescent overweight and obesity.

Comprehensive workplace intervention for cancer prevention in China (WECAN): protocol for a stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is the second leading cause of death across the globe with the majority of deaths occurring in low-income and middle-income countries. Evidence has shown that the cancer burden can be substantially reduced by avoiding behavioural risk factors through comprehensive intervention strategies, including workplace health promotion, which has shown to be cost-effective in developed countries while rarely conducted in developing countries. This study aims to explore a feasible and sustainable approach to the prevention and control of cancer in China by developing an evidence-based comprehensive workplace health model equipped with a smartphone application for implementation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is designed as a stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised controlled trial. We will recruit 15 workplaces from three cities in China. A total of 750 employees will be randomly selected for evaluation that includes five rounds of survey conducted every 6 months. After the second evaluation, workplaces will be randomly allocated to start the intervention sequentially every 6 months in three steps with five workplaces per step. A mobile application 'Healthy Workplace' will be developed to support the intervention. On-line and off-line health-related activities will be carried out among employees. Employers will provide supportive policies, environment and benefits to facilitate the adoption of healthy behaviours. The primary outcome is the change of Healthy Lifestyle Index Score, which consists of five components including smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, diet and body mass index. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by Queen Mary University of London Ethics of Research Committee (QMERC22.257) and Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Institutional Review Board (202210). Written informed consent is required from all participants. Results will be disseminated through presentations, publications and social media. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2200058680.

24-hour sodium and potassium excretion in the Americas: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine the 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretions in the Americas. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed seeking for studies conducted between 1990 and 2021 in adults living in any sovereign state of the Americas in Medline, Embase, Scopus, SciELO, and Lilacs. The search was first run on October 26th, 2020 and was updated on December 15th, 2021. Of 3 941 abstracts reviewed, 74 studies were included from 14 countries, 72 studies reporting urinary sodium (27 387 adults), and 42 studies reporting urinary potassium (19 610 adults) carried out between 1990 and 2020. Data were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Results: Mean excretion was 157.29 mmol/24h (95% CI, 151.42-163.16) for sodium and 57.69 mmol/24h (95% CI, 53.35-62.03) for potassium. When only women were considered, mean excretion was 135.81 mmol/24h (95% CI, 130.37-141.25) for sodium and 51.73 mmol/24h (95% CI, 48.77-54.70) for potassium. In men, mean excretion was 169.39 mmol/24h (95% CI, 162.14-176.64) for sodium and 62.67 mmol/24h (95% CI, 55.41-69.93) for potassium. Mean sodium excretion was 150.09 mmol/24h (95% CI, 137.87-162.30) in the 1990s and 159.79 mmol/24h (95% CI, 151.63-167.95) in the 2010s. Mean potassium excretion was 58.64 mmol/24h (95% CI, 52.73-64.55) in the 1990s and 56.33 mmol/24/h (95% CI, 48.65-64.00) in the 2010s. Conclusions: These findings suggest that sodium excretions are almost double the maximum level recommended by the World Health Organization and potassium excretions are 35% lower than the minimum requirement; therefore, major efforts to reduce sodium and to increase potassium intakes should be implemented.

24-hour sodium and potassium excretion in the Americas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To determine the 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretions in the Americas. Methods. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed seeking for studies conducted between 1990 and 2021 in adults living in any sovereign state of the Americas in Medline, Embase, Scopus, SciELO, and Lilacs. The search was first run on October 26th, 2020 and was updated on December 15th, 2021. Of 3 941 abstracts reviewed, 74 studies were included from 14 countries, 72 studies reporting urinary sodium (27 387 adults), and 42 studies reporting urinary potassium (19 610 adults) carried out between 1990 and 2020. Data were pooled using a random‐effects meta‐analysis model. Results. Mean excretion was 157.29 mmol/24h (95% CI, 151.42-163.16) for sodium and 57.69 mmol/24h (95% CI, 53.35-62.03) for potassium. When only women were considered, mean excretion was 135.81 mmol/24h (95% CI, 130.37-141.25) for sodium and 51.73 mmol/24h (95% CI, 48.77-54.70) for potassium. In men, mean excretion was 169.39 mmol/24h (95% CI, 162.14-176.64) for sodium and 62.67 mmol/24h (95% CI, 55.41- 69.93) for potassium. Mean sodium excretion was 150.09 mmol/24h (95% CI, 137.87-162.30) in the 1990s and 159.79 mmol/24h (95% CI, 151.63-167.95) in the 2010s. Mean potassium excretion was 58.64 mmol/24h (95% CI, 52.73-64.55) in the 1990s and 56.33 mmol/24/h (95% CI, 48.65-64.00) in the 2010s. Conclusions. These findings suggest that sodium excretions are almost double the maximum level recommended by the World Health Organization and potassium excretions are 35% lower than the mini- mum requirement; therefore, major efforts to reduce sodium and to increase potassium intakes should be implemented.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Determinar la excreción urinaria de sodio y potasio en 24 horas en la Región de las Américas. Métodos. Se realizaron una revisión sistemática y un metanálisis en busca de estudios realizados entre los años 1990 y 2021 con adultos residentes en cualquier Estado soberano de la Región publicados en Medline, Embase, Scopus, SciELO y Lilacs. La búsqueda se llevó a cabo por primera vez el 26 de octubre del 2020 y se actualizó el 15 de diciembre del 2021. De los 3941 resúmenes revisados, se incluyeron 74 estudios de 14 países, 72 estudios sobre excreción urinaria de sodio (27 387 adultos) y 42 estudios sobre excreción urinaria de potasio (19 610 adultos) realizados entre el 1990 y el 2020. Se agruparon los datos mediante un modelo de metanálisis de efectos aleatorios. Resultados. La excreción media de sodio fue de 157,29 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 151,42-163,16); la de potasio, de 57,69 mmol/24 h (IC de 95%, 53,35-62,03). En los casos en que se consideraron únicamente mujeres, la excreción media de sodio fue de 135,81 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 130,37-141,25); la de potasio, de 51,73 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 48,77-54,70). En varones, la excreción media de sodio fue de 169,39 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 162,14-176,64); la de potasio, de 62,67 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 55,41-69,93). La excreción media de sodio fue de 150,09 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 137,87-162,30) en la década de 1990 y de 159,79 mmol/24 h (IC de 95%, 151,63-167,95) en la década del 2010. La excreción media de potasio fue de 58,64 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 52,73-64,55) en la década de 1990 y de 56,33 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 48,65-64,00) en la década del 2010. Conclusiones. Estos resultados sugieren que la excreción de sodio casi duplica el nivel máximo recomen- dado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud y las excreción de potasio es 35% más baja que el requisito mínimo, por lo que se deben invertir grandes esfuerzos para reducir el consumo de sodio y aumentar la ingesta de potasio.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Determinar as excreções urinárias de sódio e potássio em 24 horas na Região das Américas. Métodos. Revisão sistemática e metanálise de estudos realizados entre 1990 e 2021, em adultos vivendo em qualquer estado soberano da região, indexados nos bancos de dados MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Sci- ELO e LILACS. A pesquisa foi realizada pela primeira vez em 26 de outubro de 2020 e foi atualizada em 15 de dezembro de 2021. Dos 3.941 resumos revisados, foram incluídos 74 estudos de 14 países, 72 estudos relatando sódio urinário (27.387 adultos) e 42 estudos relatando potássio urinário (19.610 adultos), realizados entre 1990 e 2020. Os dados foram reunidos utilizando um modelo de metanálise de efeitos aleatórios. Resultados. A excreção média foi de 157,29 mmol/24h (IC95% 151,42-163,16) para o sódio e 57,69 mmol/24h (IC95% 53,35-62,03) para o potássio. Quando somente mulheres foram consideradas, a excreção média foi de 135,81 mmol/24h (IC95% 130,37-141,25) para o sódio e 51,73 mmol/24h (IC95% 48,77-54,70) para o potássio. Nos homens, a excreção média foi de 169,39 mmol/24h (IC95% 162,14-176,64) para o sódio e 62,67 mmol/24h (IC95% 55,41-69,93) para o potássio. A excreção média de sódio foi de 150,09 mmol/24h (IC95% 137,87-162,30) na década de 1990 e 159,79 mmol/24h (IC95% 151,63-167,95) na década de 2010. A excreção média de potássio foi de 58,64 mmol/24h (IC95% 52,73-64,55) na década de 1990 e 56,33 mmol/24/h (IC95% 48,65-64,00) na década de 2010. Conclusões. Estes achados sugerem que as excreções de sódio são quase o dobro do nível máximo recomendado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde e as excreções de potássio são 35% menores do que o mínimo exigido; portanto, será necessário envidar esforços importantes para reduzir a ingestão de sódio e aumentar a de potássio.

Spot urinary sodium to monitor relative changes in population salt intake during the UK salt reduction programme.

OBJECTIVES: The most accurate method to measure population salt intake is to collect the complete 24-h urinary sodium excretion (24-h UNa) but it is resource intensive and is rarely carried out frequently. We, therefore, assessed the use of spot urinary sodium concentration to monitor relative changes in population salt intake in between 24-h urine surveys. METHODS: We used 24-h (n = 2020) and spot urine (n = 21 711) samples drawn from adult participants in separate, cross-sectional, nationally representative surveys in England, repeated between 2006 and 2014. RESULTS: As population average 24-h UNa fell from 2006 to 2014 (from 8.7 to 7.6 g/day, i.e. by 12%) with the ongoing salt reduction programme, spot sodium concentration fell by a similar extent (from 106.1 to 93.1 mmol/l, i.e. by 13%). The regression slopes of 24-h UNa and spot sodium concentration ran parallel (P value = 0.1009) in a linear regression modelling the difference in their year-on-year changes [by regressing the 24-h UNa or sodium concentration values on time, estimation method (24-h versus spot), and their interaction term]. In contrast, when 24-h UNa was estimated by applying the Kawasaki, Tanaka, or INTERSALT formulas to spot sodium concentrations, almost no change was detected from 2006 to 2014 (±1%) and their regression slopes were significantly different from that of the measured 24-h UNa (all P values <0.0001). CONCLUSION: Spot urinary sodium concentration drawn from random and representative samples of the population accurately reflected relative changes in population average 24-h UNa, and can therefore, be used in between 24-h urine surveys to monitor population salt reduction programmes. Formulas commonly used to estimate 24-h UNa were unsuitable to do so.

Socioeconomic status and dietary sodium intake in children from 2008 to 2019 in the UK.

BACKGROUND: Little is known whether children's sodium intake is affected by the national salt reduction programme in the United Kingdom (UK), particularly in relation to socioeconomic groups. We aimed to assess the trend of sodium intake among children from different socioeconomic backgrounds in the UK, from 2008-2009 to 2018-2019. METHODS: Repeated cross-sectional analyses of data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey in children aged 4-18 years. Sodium intake was estimated from a 4-day dietary record in years 2008-2009 to 2018-2019 and 24-h urine collection (2008-2009 to 2011-2012 only). Socioeconomic status was based on parental occupation and equivalized household income. RESULTS: We included 6281 children (age 11.0 ±â€Š4.3 years, 51.3% boys). In 2008-2009 to 2011-2012, the mean sodium intake was 2342.4 ±â€Š60.0 mg/day as measured by 24-h urinary sodium excretion, and was 2053.1 ±â€Š18.2 mg/day by dietary records. From 2008-2009 to 2018-2019, the sodium intake as assessed by dietary records decreased by 15, 9 and 12% in children from routine and manual occupation families, intermediate occupation families and higher managerial, administrative and professional occupation families, respectively. On the basis of dietary records, the sodium intake of children from families in routine and manual occupations was 109.6 ±â€Š23.1 mg/day ( P  < 0.001) higher than those from higher managerial, administrative and professional occupation families in 2008-2009 to 2011-2012. Sodium intake measured by 24-h urine collection during the same period also showed a difference between occupation groups, but it was not statistically significant. The occupational differences in sodium intake became smaller over time and were no longer significant in 2016-2017 to 2018-2019. Similar findings were found for household income. CONCLUSION: Sodium intake as assessed by dietary records decreased over the 10-year period from 2008-2009 to 2018-2019 in children from all socioeconomic groups, particularly in those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. These findings suggest that the national salt reduction programme could potentially help reduce health inequality related to sodium intake in children.

Delayed Finalization of Sodium Targets in the United States May Cost Over 250 000 Lives by 2031.

BACKGROUND: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed 2- and 10-year voluntary sodium-reduction targets for >150 packaged- and prepared-food categories in 2016 and finalized the short-term targets in 2021. METHODS: We modeled the health benefits of implementing the newly finalized sodium targets, and the net health losses because of the 4.3-year delay in finalizing the sodium targets in different compliance scenarios in adults aged ≥30, using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015 to 2016 cycle. The health impact was estimated by multiplying the projected reduction in population sodium intake by the annual health benefits resulting from every 1000-mg reduction in daily sodium intake. RESULTS: Under certain assumptions, the FDA's finalization of the short-term targets in Oct 2021 and possible finalization of the long-term targets by April 2024 is projected to save up to 445 979 (95% CI, 17 349-787 352) lives in the coming 10 years. The net number of unnecessary deaths because of FDA's delay is projected to be as high as 264 644 (95% CI, 10 295-467 215) according to our prediction. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the enormous health costs due to the FDA's delay in finalizing the sodium-reduction targets, and the great potential health benefits of industry compliance with the FDA's finalization of its short- and long-term targets in the coming 10 years.

App based education programme to reduce salt intake (AppSalt) in schoolchildren and their families in China: parallel, cluster randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a smartphone application based education programme can lower salt intake in schoolchildren and their families. DESIGN: Parallel, cluster randomised controlled trial, with schools randomly assigned to either intervention or control group (1:1). SETTING: 54 primary schools from three provinces in northern, central, and southern China, from 15 September 2018 to 27 December 2019. PARTICIPANTS: 592 children (308 (52.0%) boys; mean age 8.58 (standard deviation 0.41) years) in grade 3 of primary school (about 11 children per school) and 1184 adult family members (551 (46.5%) men; mean age 45.80 (12.87) years). INTERVENTION: Children in the intervention group were taught, with support of the app, about salt reduction and assigned homework to encourage their families to participate in activities to reduce salt consumption. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was the difference in salt intake change (measured by 24 hour urinary sodium excretion) at 12 month follow-up, between the intervention and control groups. RESULTS: After baseline assessment, 297 children and 594 adult family members (from 27 schools) were allocated to the intervention group, and 295 children and 590 adult family members (from 27 schools) were allocated to the control group. During the trial, 27 (4.6%) children and 112 (9.5%) adults were lost to follow-up, owing to children having moved to another school or adults unable to attend follow-up assessments. The remaining 287 children and 546 adults (from 27 schools) in the intervention group and 278 children and 526 adults (from 27 schools) in the control group completed the 12 month follow-up assessment. Mean salt intake at baseline was 5.5 g/day (standard deviation 1.9) in children and 10.0 g/day (3.5) in adults in the intervention group, and 5.6 g/day (2.1) in children and 10.0 g/day (3.6) in adults in the control group. During the study, salt intake of the children increased in both intervention and control groups but to a lesser extent in the intervention group (mean effect of intervention after adjusting for confounding factors -0.25 g/day, 95% confidence interval -0.61 to 0.12, P=0.18). In adults, salt intake decreased in both intervention and control groups but to a greater extent in the intervention group (mean effect -0.82 g/day, -1.24 to -0.40, P<0.001). The mean effect on systolic blood pressure was -0.76 mm Hg (-2.37 to 0.86, P=0.36) in children and -1.64 mm Hg (-3.01 to -0.27, P=0.02) in adults. CONCLUSIONS: The app based education programme delivered through primary school, using a child-to-parent approach, was effective in lowering salt intake and systolic blood pressure in adults, but the effects were not significant in children. Although this novel approach could potentially be scaled up to larger populations, the programme needs further strengthening to reduce salt intake across the whole population, including schoolchildren. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800017553.

Sodium and Health: Old Myths and a Controversy Based on Denial.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The scientific consensus on which global health organizations base public health policies is that high sodium intake increases blood pressure (BP) in a linear fashion contributing to cardiovascular disease (CVD). A moderate reduction in sodium intake to 2000 mg per day helps ensure that BP remains at a healthy level to reduce the burden of CVD. RECENT FINDINGS: Yet, since as long ago as 1988, and more recently in eight articles published in the European Heart Journal in 2020 and 2021, some researchers have propagated a myth that reducing sodium does not consistently reduce CVD but rather that lower sodium might increase the risk of CVD. These claims are not well-founded and support some food and beverage industry's vested interests in the use of excessive amounts of salt to preserve food, enhance taste, and increase thirst. Nevertheless, some researchers, often with funding from the food industry, continue to publish such claims without addressing the numerous objections. This article analyzes the eight articles as a case study, summarizes misleading claims, their objections, and it offers possible reasons for such claims. Our study calls upon journal editors to ensure that unfounded claims about sodium intake be rigorously challenged by independent reviewers before publication; to avoid editorial writers who have been co-authors with the subject paper's authors; to require statements of conflict of interest; and to ensure that their pages are used only by those who seek to advance knowledge by engaging in the scientific method and its collegial pursuit. The public interest in the prevention and treatment of disease requires no less.