Salt intakes, knowledge, and behavior in Samoa: monitoring salt-consumption patterns through the World Health Organization's Surveillance of Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors (STEPS)
Version 3 2024-06-17, 17:30Version 3 2024-06-17, 17:30
Version 2 2024-06-04, 04:35Version 2 2024-06-04, 04:35
Version 1 2016-02-12, 08:43Version 1 2016-02-12, 08:43
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-17, 17:30authored byJ Webster, SAF Su'a, M Ieremia, S Bompoint, C Johnson, G Faeamani, M Vaiaso, W Snowdon, M-A Land, K Trieu, S Viali, Marj MoodieMarj Moodie, Colin BellColin Bell, B Neal, M Woodward
This project measured population salt intake in Samoa by integrating urinary sodium analysis into the World Health Organization's (WHO's) STEPwise approach to surveillance of noncommunicable disease risk factors (STEPS). A subsample of the Samoan Ministry of Health's 2013 STEPS Survey collected 24-hour and spot urine samples and completed questions on salt-related behaviors. Complete urine samples were available for 293 participants. Overall, weighted mean population 24-hour urine excretion of salt was 7.09 g (standard error 0.19) to 7.63 g (standard error 0.27) for men and 6.39 g (standard error 0.14) for women (P=.0014). Salt intake increased with body mass index (P=.0004), and people who added salt at the table had 1.5 g higher salt intakes than those who did not add salt (P=.0422). A total of 70% of the population had urinary excretion values above the 5 g/d cutoff recommended by the WHO. A reduction of 30% (2 g) would reduce average population salt intake to 5 g/d, in line with WHO recommendations. While challenging, integration of salt monitoring into STEPS provides clear logistical and cost benefits and the lessons communicated here can help inform future programs.