Can Dietary Method Replace the 24 hours Urinary Sodium Excretion Method of Assessing Sodium Consumption at Population Level?

Abstract

Objective: Assessment of sodium consumption at population level and to explore the usefulness of the method by comparing the sodium assessment by dietary recall method with sodium excretion in 24-hour urine sample. Methods: Two hundred subjects were selected by purposive sampling on the basis of selection criteria. Sodium consumption was assessed by self reported 24 hour dietary recall method and through assessment of sodium excreted in 24 hours urine sample. Results:The mean sodium consumption assessed by dietary method and 24 hours urinary sodium excretion was (3840.6±1810.1 and 4796.3±3303.3 mg/day respectively) very high. Sodium consumption obtained by two mentioned methods was significantly different. Discussion and conclusion:The average sodium intake was very high than the recommended intake. The sodium intake assessed by dietary method was found to be under-estimated. Twenty four hours urinary sodium excretion can be the best method to measure sodium consumption at population level.