[Preplanned Studies] Salt-Related Knowledge, Behaviors, and Associated Factors Among Chinese Adults — China, 2015

Caihong Hu(胡彩红); Mei Zhang(张梅);  Wenrong Zhang(张文戎);  Xiao Zhang(张笑);  Zhenping Zhao(赵振平); Zhengjing Huang (黄正京);Limin Wang(王丽敏) 

Summary 

What is already known about this topic?  

Excessive  salt  intake  is  an  important  risk  factor  for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The amount of salt intake of Chinese is one of the highest all over the world. At a national level, the awareness of maximum  daily  salt  intake  recommended  by  the“Dietary Guidelines of Chinese residents” had not been reported. 

What is added by this report? 

This  is  the  first  nationally  representative  study  about awareness  of  maximum  daily  salt  intake  in  China.  In 2015, the awareness rate of maximum daily salt intake and  behavior  rate  of  salt  reduction  among  Chinese adults  aged  18  years  old  and  above  was  6.1% and 37.3%,  respectively.  The  awareness  rate  of  maximum daily salt intake and behavior rate of salt reduction was low among adult residents in China. 

What are the implications for public health practice? 

To  increase  the  behavior  rate  of  salt  reduction  in China,  awareness  of  the  maximum  daily  salt  intake needs  to  be  strengthened  to  Chinese  residents, especially  in  rural  areas  or  for  people  with  low education levels and low incomes.