School Children's Salt Intake Is Correlated with Salty Taste Preference Assessed by Their Mothers

Abstract

Salt intake in childhood is a risk factor for developing hypertension later in life. As health education for children to decrease salt intake, it is important for them to know the relationship between salty taste preference and salt intake. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between children's salty taste preference and their salt intake. We employed a cross-sectional study design, and the subjects were 199 elementary school children (5th or 6th grade) and their mothers. The amount of salt intake was estimated by the amount of urinary sodium excretion. Children's salty taste preference was assessed 1) by asking children about their own salty taste preference as well as measuring their threshold level of salty taste, and 2) by their mothers' observation of their salt intake behavior using a questionnaire. The salt intake and salt taste threshold of children who liked a salty taste were similar to those in children who disliked it. No association was found between the threshold level of salty taste and sodium intake. Regarding the relationship between children's salt intake and their salt intake behavior score, assessed by their mothers using a questionnaire, the high score group had a higher estimated salt intake than the low score group. In conclusion, children's salt intake may be accurately assessed by their mother's observation rather than children's own salty taste preference. This study suggests the importance of a mother's role in salt restriction education for children.salty taste preference; salt intake; sodium excretion; health education; mothers' roles.

Effect of Abalone Hydrolysates Encapsulated by Double Emulsion on the Physicochemical and Sensorial Properties of Fresh Cheese

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“…Despite these limitations, the current study is important in demonstrating that a streamlined, brief intervention in schools can impart a practical skill related to food choice to students and their parents. The influence of a school‐based program on knowledge in parents was especially gratifying, as dietary behavior is apt to be a matter of familial choice 33,34 . Further study will be required to verify that this intervention can lead to improvements in actual dietary pattern and related health measures, over time.…”

Salt Content Impacts Food Preferences and Intake among Children

“…The optimal salinity revealed by the hedonic rating was higher than the optimal level revealed by the intake data [14]. A study of 10- to 12-year-old children showed that those who liked salty foods (as reported by their mother) ingested more salt (as estimated by urinary sodium excretion) [15]. Another study showed a positive effect of salt content on food intake in 2- to 3-year-olds [16].…”