Sodium Consumption Remains High Among US School-Aged Children: CDC

Most American children are consuming more sodium than recommended for health, which may expose them to heart disease risk later, stated CDC.

According to the new Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90 percent of the U.S. children and teens are consuming excess of sodium than what is recommended. More than 40 percent of this sodium comes from 10 common types of foods like pizza, bread and rolls, cold cuts/curd meats, savory snacks, sandwiches, cheese, chicken patties/nuggets/tenders, pasta mixed dishes, Mexican dishes and soups. Intake of excess of sodium from these foods puts the children at a higher risk of developing hypertension and heart diseases later in life.

This study presents in detail the amount of sodium school children, aged between 6-18 years, eat and the source. The finding - 43 percent of sodium comes from 10 most-consumed foods - comes from CDC's 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

"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," said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "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."

The data revealed that children aged between 6-18 years, on an average ate 3,000 mg of sodium a day before salt is added at the table. Most of the sodium is in the food from where it is purchased. Almost 65 percent comes from store foods, 13 percent comes from fast food and 9 percent from the school cafeteria foods.

The excess intake of sodium by children can be reduced only if the parents, caregivers and schools take steps to ensure low-sodium option is introduced.

Under Secretary for USDA's Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, Kevin Concannon, said: "This report demonstrates the importance of continuing to move forward in our efforts to improve nutrition in schools, and to ensure that children and teens nationwide have access to safe, nutritious meals and snacks during the school day."

The report appears in CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.