Urinary sodium excretion in a young to middle-aged adults urban population: a pilot study in Ecuador

Abstract

Objective High sodium consumption is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the leading cause of mortality in Ecuador, which may be caused in part by unhealthy eating habits. Currently, there are no data on the consumption of sodium using 24-hr urine samples. The aims of the study were to provide preliminary data of sodium intake in an urban population sample consisting of adults between 25 and 64 years old, and to explore the feasibility to conduct a population-level sodium intake determination by using 24-hr urine samples.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 129 adults living in an urban setting. 24-hr urinary samples were collected and the WHO STEPS instrument was used to collect the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of participants. A reference value of 2.0 g/day was used to differentiate between normal and high sodium intake groups.Results Participants’ median age was 39 years, 91% of them identified themselves as belonging to the mestizo race, and 60% were female. The average sodium intake was 2 655(±1 185) mg/d (range: 1 725 to 3 404), which is equivalent to a salt intake of 6.8 g/d (range: 4.4 to 8.7). Sodium intake was significantly higher in males than in females: 3 175(±1 202) mg/d vs. 2 304(±1 042) mg/d, respectively, (p<.01).Conclusions Sodium consumption in two-thirds of the participants was higher than the WHO recommended level. These results should help to support the execution of a national sodium intake survey that, in turn, would provide information to guide and plan public health strategies seeking to decrease cardiovascular diseases occurrence rates in Ecuador.

Intake and food sources of sodium in the population residing in urban areas of Ecuador: results from ELANS study

“…A multicenter study conducted in Latin America (Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras and Paraguay) also recorded a sodium intake above WHO recommendations, on average ranging between 4525 mg/day and 6689 mg/day [ 24 ]. All of them were measured using R24 h. The most recent study in Ecuador measuring sodium excretion in urine shows a consumption of 2 655(±1 185); however, this pilot study may present a bias since the population studied was university and health personnel of a teaching hospital and the education level may influence the higher or lower sodium consumption [ 8 ]. At the national level, data from the STEPS ECUADOR 2018 Survey [ 25 ] shows that the population does take actions to reduce foods rich in salt through the review of food labeling, or avoiding processed foods, but still maintains the habit of putting salt on food during preparation or in the dish served [ 25 ].…”

“…In Ecuador, the Health, and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) reported that the prevalence of arterial hypertension in the population aged 18 to 59 years is 9.3% and prehypertension is 37.2% [ 7 ]. Despite these figures, few studies show high sodium intake in the Ecuadorian population and very little evidence on sodium intake and sociodemographic correlations [ 8 ].…”

Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors Associated with the Influence of the Food Traffic Light Labeling on the Decision of the Adult Population of Ecuador to Purchase Processed Foods, 2018

“…This condition is related to multiple factors, including sociodemographic, genetic, and behavioral ones, including a sedentary lifestyle, high-calorie intake, and low fiber intake [ 10 ]. Thus, in Ecuador, in recent years, a high consumption of processed foods that are dense in calories and with macronutrient and salt content above international dietary recommendations has been described [ 11 , 12 ]. Likewise, between 2000 and 2013, per capita retail sales of ultra-processed food products and beverages in Ecuador increased by 19.8%, with an annual increase of 1.4% [ 13 ].…”

Factores socioeconómicos asociados a la influencia del semáforo nutricional en la decisión de compra de alimentos procesados en la población adulta de Ecuador, 2018

“…Esta condición está relacionada con múltiples factores, entre ellos sociodemográficos, genéticos y conductuales, incluyendo un estilo de vida sedentario, alto consumo de calorías y bajo consumo de fibra [10]. Así, en Ecuador, en los últimos años, se ha descrito un alto consumo de alimentos procesados densos en calorías y con contenido de macronutrientes y sal por encima de las recomendaciones dietéticas internacionales [11,12]. Asimismo, entre 2000 y 2013, las ventas minoristas per cápita de productos alimenticios ultraprocesados y bebidas en Ecuador aumentaron en 19,8%, con un incremento anual de 1,4% [13].…”