CDC Finds Sodium Consumption is High Among U.S. Children

More than 90 percent of school-aged children nationwide eat more sodium than recommended, putting them at risk for developing high blood pressure and heart disease in adulthood, according to a new CDC Vital Signs report. Using the most recent national data from 2009-2010, the report details how much sodium school-age children eat and where it comes from and identifies the 10 food categories that contribute the most sodium in children’s diets. Among the findings:

• U.S. children ages 6 to 18 eat an average of about 3,300 mg of sodium a day before salt is added at the table. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that children eat less than 2,300 mg per day total.
• Approximately 65 percent of sodium comes from store foods, 13 percent from fast food and pizza restaurant foods, and nine percent from school cafeteria foods.
• Forty-three percent of sodium came from 10 food categories: pizza, bread and rolls, cold cuts/cured meats, savory snacks, sandwiches, cheese, chicken patties/nuggets/tenders, pasta mixed dishes, Mexican mixed dishes, and soups.

To help reduce the amount of sodium children are consuming daily, parents and caregivers, as well as schools, communities, and places that sell, make or serve food, are all encouraged to take steps to ensure more low-sodium options. For example, parents can model healthy eating for children by providing a diet rich in fruits and vegetables without added sodium. Places that produce, sell, or serve food can replace sodium with alternatives like spices, herbs, and vegetables, as well as shop around for lower sodium brands. Schools and school districts can implement food purchasing policies and standards that reduce sodium in foods and put lower-sodium alternatives in vending machines, school stores and cafeterias. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/salt/.

Contact Information

Spokespersons

Tom Frieden, MD, MPH

Biography

“Too many children are consuming way too much sodium, and the result will be risks of high blood pressure and heart disease in the future. Most sodium is from processed and restaurant food, not the salt shaker. Reducing sodium intake will help our children avoid tragic and expensive health problems."

Tom Frieden, MD, MPH - Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Mary Edmonds Cogswell, RN, DrPH

Biography

“Research shows the taste for salt is established through diet at a young age. Unfortunately, U.S. children ages 6 to 18 eat an average of about 3,300 mg of sodium a day, or 1,000 mg more than daily limit recommended by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. And that’s before salt is even added at the table. A poor diet in childhood can lay a foundation for future health problems – and the fact that kids are consuming so much sodium is a cause for concern."

Mary Edmonds Cogswell, RN, DrPH - Senior Scientist with the Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Janelle Gunn, MPH, RD

Biography

“Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases kill nearly 800,000 Americans each year and contribute an estimated 315 billion dollars a year in health care costs and lost productivity. Gradual voluntary reductions in sodium are possible and would save billions of dollars and tens of thousands of lives. It’s going to take all of us, working together, to reduce sodium and provide a healthier future for children."

Janelle Gunn, MPH, RD - Acting Policy Team Lead, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion