%0 Journal Article %J Eur J Clin Nutr %D 2010 %T Estimate of total salt intake in two regions of Belgium through analysis of sodium in 24-h urine samples. %A Stefanie Vandevijvere %A De Keyzer, W %A Chapelle, J-P %A Jeanne, D %A Mouillet, G %A Huybrechts, I %A Hulshof, P %A Herman Van Oyen %K Adult %K Aged %K Belgium %K Creatinine %K Female %K Humans %K Male %K middle aged %K Nutrition Policy %K sex factors %K sodium %K Sodium Chloride, Dietary %K Surveys and Questionnaires %X

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate total salt intake in the adult population through an analysis of sodium in 24-h urine samples in two regions of Belgium.

METHODS: Urine samples were collected over 24 h from participants and they had to complete a specific questionnaire about salt intake afterwards. Sodium and creatinine concentrations were analysed in these samples.

SUBJECTS: The target population comprised adults aged 45-65 years in the region of Ghent and Liege. A total of 123 and 157 volunteers from Ghent and Liege, respectively, were included in the study.

RESULTS: The mean creatinine level in Flanders (n=114) amounted to 0.173±0.035 mmol/kg/day, whereas in the Walloon region (n=135) it amounted to 0.161±0.036 mmol/kg/day, after the exclusion of subjects with incomplete urine collection. Intake of sodium in Flanders (n=114) was 4.29±1.29 g/day, whereas in the Walloon region (n=135) it was 3.94±1.44 g/day. In both regions, sodium intake in men was higher than in women.

CONCLUSION: Salt intake was more or less twice as high as the recommended intake. Salt intake as estimated from 24-h urine collections is substantially higher than that previously calculated on the basis of food consumption data. A salt reduction programme for Belgium is primordial.

%B Eur J Clin Nutr %V 64 %P 1260-5 %8 2010 Nov %G eng %N 11 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20717132?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1038/ejcn.2010.148