High salt intake in kids linked to high blood pressure

Kids are eating as much salt as adults, and those consuming the highest amounts of sodium have a two or three times greater risk of having high blood pressure as kids who down the least amount, says a study out today.


Researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed the diets of 6,235 children, ages 8 to 18. The information was based on dietary recall from the kids themselves or with the help of an adult. The data show that children are consuming an average of almost 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day, about the same as adults. Salt intake for kids ranged from 1,300 milligrams to 8,100 milligrams a day.


The government’s dietary guidelines advise reducing daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams for most people 2 and older, and cutting back to 1,500 milligrams for people 51 and older and those of any age who are African American or have hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.


For the study, kids’ blood pressure was measured as was their height and weight. The definition of high blood pressure for kids is not one fixed number but varies by age, gender and height. Those whose blood pressure is in the 95th percentile and above for their age group have high blood pressure. If their blood pressure is in the 90-95th percentile, they have elevated or pre-high blood pressure.

Source: http://www.health.am/hypertension/more/high-salt-intake-in-kids-linked-to-high-blood-pressure/

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