Abstract Body: Background
Nearly all US adults exceed sodium recommendations, which increases cardiovascular risk, which is especially important for adults with hypertension. Understanding racial and ethnic differences in sodium sources and behaviors could lead to nuanced public health messaging, dietary interventions, and clinical guidance to more equitably achieve population-level sodium reduction.
Methods
Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2020 pre-pandemic data, racial and ethnic differences in sodium sources and sodium-related behaviors (e.g., salt use at the table and in food preparation, doctor advice to reduce sodium, attempts to reduce sodium, and label reading) were assessed using weighted chi-square. Results are reported for all adults, those with hypertension, and those aware of their hypertension status.
Results
Pizza, soup, and chicken were top sources of sodium across racial and ethnic groups. For Asian Americans, 4 top sources were unique (e.g., soy-based condiments). Black adults reported the highest rates of reducing sodium (67% vs. 44% among White adults) and receiving physician sodium reduction advice (35% vs.18% among Asian Americans). Asian Americans were the most likely to frequently use salt during food preparation (66% vs. Other Race adults 32%) but reported not using salt at the table (43% vs. 23% among Other Race adults). Racial and ethnic differences persisted by hypertension and hypertension awareness status.
Conclusions
While increasing provider advice, product reformulation targets, and front-of-pack nutrition labeling may help reduce sodium intake across groups, to equitably address sodium intake, culturally appropriate advice on sources of sodium and salt usage may be needed, particularly for Asian Americans and adults in the Other Race including Multiracial category.