Reducing Sodium Intake in Community Meals Programs: Evaluation of the Sodium Reduction in Communities Program, Arkansas, 2016–2019

Abstract

What is known on this topic?High sodium intake is associated with hypertension and increased risk for cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. What does this report add?We evaluated a sodium-reduction intervention in community meals programs in northwest Arkansas and found substantial reductions in sodium served to diners after 3 years.What are the implications for public health practice? Sodium-reduction interventions in community meals programs, whose diners experience food insecurity, have low incomes, and are at high risk for hypertension, are effective and sustainable.

Reducing Sodium Content of Foods Served in Arkansas’s Largest School District: Evaluation of the Sodium Reduction in Communities Program

“…The study did not incorporate consideration of food waste. However, our study's findings add to a growing body of evidence pointing toward SRCP effectiveness in reducing sodium across venues and sustaining sodium reductions over time (13,25,26).…”

Global Responses to Prevent, Manage, and Control Cardiovascular Diseases

“…Jordan and colleagues demonstrated the differential effects of sodium reduction strategies in food service settings by tailoring community-level approaches based on a community’s available resources, stage of readiness, and food service staff’s level of engagement ( 32 ). These studies show the effectiveness and sustainability of the implementation of sodium reduction interventions in reducing CVD in communities experiencing food insecurity, low incomes, and high risk for hypertension ( 31 , 32 ). The work from Smith and colleagues in Arkansas examines the benefits of using trusted community spaces such as barber and beauty shops for screening for chronic health conditions including blood pressure monitoring.…”

“…Several studies in this collection identify strategies for community-based interventions that aim to reduce CVD disparities. For example, Long and colleagues evaluated 3-year sodium reduction initiatives in 3 community meal programs in Arkansas ( 31 ). Jordan and colleagues demonstrated the differential effects of sodium reduction strategies in food service settings by tailoring community-level approaches based on a community’s available resources, stage of readiness, and food service staff’s level of engagement ( 32 ).…”

“…Systematically addressing SDOH requires multisectoral commitment and the implementation of evidence-based public policies and actions across all sectors. Countries that employ multisectoral approaches are better able to identify and address issues around poverty, housing, and others by working collaboratively across sectors, with multisectoral action by governments to achieve health equity (30).…”