OBJECTIVES: Excess sodium intake has been linked to obesity and obesity-related indices. However, the scientific evidence for this association is inadequate. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between urinary sodium excretion and obesity-related indices among Korean adults. METHODS: A convenience sample of 120 subjects (60 obese and 60 non-obese subjects) were recruited applying frequency matching for sex and age between two groups. Sodium intake level was assessed through 24-hour urine collection. Obesity-related metabolic risk factors, including fasting blood lipid indices, subcutaneous and visceral fat through computed tomography (CT), insulin resistance indices, blood pressure and liver enzymes were measured in all subjects. These obesity-related metabolic risk factors were compared between obese and non-obese group according to sodium excretion levels (<110 mEq/day, 110~180 mEq/day, >180 mEq/day). RESULTS: After adjusting for age, gender, health behaviors (smoking, exercise, drinking), and energy intake, several obesity-related metabolic risk factors, including abdominal circumference, body fat percentage, subcutaneous and visceral fat, triglyceride, and systolic blood pressure were found to be significantly deteriorated as the sodium excretion level increases. In addition, multivariate adjusted-odds ratios of abdominal obesity, high blood triglyceride, and high blood pressure were found significantly higher in the highest sodium excretion group compared to the lowest group. The mean number of metabolic syndrome risk factors was also significantly greater in the highest sodium excretion group than in the lowest group. CONCLUSIONS: The current study findings suggested that high sodium intake can affect obesity and metabolic syndrome risk negatively, implying the necessity of future research on low-sodium diet intervention in relation to obesity and related health problems.
Adipose Tissue ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Diet, Sodium-Restricted ; Energy Intake ; Fasting ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Insulin Resistance ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Liver ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Risk Factors* ; Sodium* ; Triglycerides ; Urine Specimen Collection

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study are: 1) to quantify sodium consumption of patients with unstable or uncontrolled hypertension, 2) to investigate if reduced sodium intake can lower BP in these patients, and 3), to assess the acceptability and feasibility of this approach. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 25 adults (age: 50+ years) with frequently elevated BP or patients with uncontrolled, uncomplicated hypertension despite drug treatment in a general practice setting. BP and salt intake (24h urinary excretion and food records) were measured at baseline and after a sodium reduced diet. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SD) systolic (SBP) over diastolic (DBP) blood pressure (mmHg) at baseline was 150.7 (+/- 9.5)/84.149 (+/- 5.6). Mean urinary sodium excretion was 146 mmol/24h. A reduction of 28 mmol sodium excretion decreased SBP/DBP to 135.5 (+/- 13.0)/82.5 (+/- 12.8) (P < 0.001). After one month of no dietary advice, only in 48%, SBP was still < or =140 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Assessment of sodium intake using food records, 24h urine collections and probing questions to identify use of sodium containing supplements or drugs are essential for tailored advice targeted at sodium intake reduction. The results of the present study indicate that reduced sodium intake can lower BP after 4 weeks in unstable or uncontrolled hypertensive patients.
Adult ; Blood Pressure* ; Diet ; General Practice ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Primary Health Care* ; Sodium* ; Urine Specimen Collection

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study are: 1) to quantify sodium consumption of patients with unstable or uncontrolled hypertension, 2) to investigate if reduced sodium intake can lower BP in these patients, and 3), to assess the acceptability and feasibility of this approach. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 25 adults (age: 50+ years) with frequently elevated BP or patients with uncontrolled, uncomplicated hypertension despite drug treatment in a general practice setting. BP and salt intake (24h urinary excretion and food records) were measured at baseline and after a sodium reduced diet. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SD) systolic (SBP) over diastolic (DBP) blood pressure (mmHg) at baseline was 150.7 (+/- 9.5)/84.149 (+/- 5.6). Mean urinary sodium excretion was 146 mmol/24h. A reduction of 28 mmol sodium excretion decreased SBP/DBP to 135.5 (+/- 13.0)/82.5 (+/- 12.8) (P < 0.001). After one month of no dietary advice, only in 48%, SBP was still < or =140 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Assessment of sodium intake using food records, 24h urine collections and probing questions to identify use of sodium containing supplements or drugs are essential for tailored advice targeted at sodium intake reduction. The results of the present study indicate that reduced sodium intake can lower BP after 4 weeks in unstable or uncontrolled hypertensive patients.
Adult ; Blood Pressure* ; Diet ; General Practice ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Primary Health Care* ; Sodium* ; Urine Specimen Collection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Salt-taste threshold can influence salt appetite, and is thought to be another marker of sodium intake. Many studies have found an association between sodium intake and blood pressure. The aim of this study was to compare the salt-taste threshold and salt intake between hypertensive and normotensive groups. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: One hundred twenty volunteers (51 men and 69 women) who did not take antihypertensive medications were evaluated. First, a questionnaire, which included questions regarding demographic information and preference of salty taste, was conducted, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure was checked. Then salt taste threshold was measured by assessing the ability of the subjects to discern the taste of salt in graded solutions of saline. Lastly, 24-hour urinary sodium was measured in a 24-hour urine collection. RESULTS: The salt taste threshold and taste preference for salt were slightly higher in hypertensive group. There was slightly higher salt intake measured as 24-hour urinary sodium in the hypertensive group, compared with the normotensive group. However, there were no significant differences in salt taste threshold, preference of salty taste, and salt intake between the normotensive and the hypertensive groups. CONCLUSION: The threshold of salt taste was not related to sodium intake and hypertension status. These results suggest that the development of hypertension depends on the complex interaction of factors such as genes and environmental factors rather than sensory factors like taste threshold and taste preference.
Appetite ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Sodium ; Sodium Chloride ; Taste Threshold* ; Urine Specimen Collection ; Volunteers

There is an established relationship between a high salt diet and public health problems, especially hypertension and cardiovascular disease. We estimated daily salt intake in a group of adults and assessed its association with related variables in Pohang, Korea. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 2013 with 242 adults. Urine was collected for 24 hr to estimate daily salt intake, and questionnaires about salt preference were administered. The mean daily salt intake was 9.9+/-4.6 g. There was no difference in salt intake between high systolic blood pressure (SBP) participants and normal SBP participants (10.5+/-4.7 g/d vs. 9.6+/-4.3 g/d, P=0.339), but high diastolic blood pressure (DBP) participants reported more salt intake than normal DBP participants (10.4+/-4.9 g/d vs. 9.7+/-4.1 g/d, P=0.049). Salt intake and body mass index demonstrated a positive correlation (P=0.001). A preference for Korean soup or stew was associated with high salt intake (P=0.038). Dietary salt intake in Korean adults is still higher than the recommendation from the World Health Organization. More efforts should be made to reduce the salt consumption of Korean adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Colorimetry ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Demography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary/*urine ; Urine Specimen Collection

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine blood pressure and other characteristics of a high sodium intake group assessed with 24-hr urine analysis and the dietary factors related to the risk of high sodium intake among Korean adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with adults aged 20-59 years. Subjects who completed 24-hr urine collection (N = 205) were divided into 3 groups (tertile) according to the sodium intake estimated with 24-hour urine analysis. We compared the blood pressure, BMI and dietary related factors of the 3 groups (low, medium, high sodium intake group) with General Linear Model (GLM) and Duncan's multiple range test (p < 0.05). The risk factors related to high sodium intake were assessed with odds ratio (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The sodium intake (mg/day) of the 3 groups were 3359.8 +/- 627.9, 4900.3 +/- 395.1 and 6770.6 +/- 873.9, respectively, corresponding to daily salt intake (g/day) 8.5, 12.4 and 17.2, respectively. High sodium group showed significantly elevated age, BMI and systolic/diastolic blood pressure. Being male gender was associated with significantly increased risk of sodium intake (OR = 1.972; 95%CI: 1.083-3.593). The other factors related to high sodium intake were higher BMI (> or = 25) (OR = 2.619; 95% CI: 1.368-5.015), current alcohol consumption (OR = 1.943; 95%CI: 1.060-3.564), and having salty soybean paste with salt percentage > 14% (OR = 3.99; 95% CI: 1.404-6.841). The dietary attitude related to increased risk of high sodium intake included 'enjoy dried fish and salted mackerel' (p < 0.001) and 'eat all broth of soup, stew or noodle' (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Because high sodium intake was associated with higher blood pressure, nutrition education should focus on alcohol consumption, emphasis on related dietary factors such as using low salt soybean paste, improvements in the habit of eating dried fish and salted mackerel or eating all broth of soup, stew or noodle.
Adult* ; Alcohol Drinking ; Blood Pressure* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eating ; Education ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Perciformes ; Risk Factors* ; Sodium* ; Soybeans ; Urine Specimen Collection

We investigated the association between 24-hr urinary sodium (24UNA) and adequacy of blood pressure (BP) control in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and nonCKD. All data were collected retrospectively by accessing the electrical medical records in patients with 24-hr urine collection and serum creatinine. Enrolled 400 subjects were subgrouped by the amount of 24UNA, or CKD stage. The appropriate BP was defined as BP < 130/80 mmHg for subjects with proteinuria, and BP < 140/90 mmHg for subjects without proteinuria. The mean level of 24UNA was 166+/-76 mEq/day. The 24UNA group was an independently related factor to diastolic BP as a continuous variable. The rate of appropriate BP control in patients with proteinuria was highest in 24UNA <100 mEq/L (P=0.012). The odds to fail achievement of BP target in subjects with 24UNA> or =90 mEq/day was 2.441 (1.249-4.772, P=0.009) higher than that of 24UNA <90 mEq/day among participants with proteinuria. There was difference in the amount of 24UNA between CKD and non-CKD except each stage of CKD group. In conclusion, salt intake estimated by 24-hr urine sodium excretion is a risk factor to achieve appropriate BP control.
Adult ; Aged ; Algorithms ; Blood Pressure/*physiology ; Creatine/blood ; Demography ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Proteinuria/complications ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications/*pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sodium, Dietary/*urine ; Urine Specimen Collection

No large-scale studies have investigated the association between salt intake and hypertension in Korean population. To investigate the relationship of blood pressure to salt consumption, we analyzed data from 19,476 participants in the 2009-2011 Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES). Urinary sodium excretion over 24-hr (24HUNa) was estimated from spot urine tests using Tanaka's equation. The study subjects were stratified into hypertensive and normotensive groups. Hypertensive participants (n=6,552, 33.6%) had higher estimated 24HUNa, 150.4+/-38.8 mEq/day, than normotensive participants, 140.5+/-34.6 mEq/day (P<0.001). The association between 24HUNa and blood pressure outcomes was not affected by adjustment for other risk factors for hypertension (odds ratio 0.001; 95% confidence interval 0.001-0.003; P<0.001). Increases in 24HUNa of 100 mEq/day were associated with a 6.1+/-0.3/2.9+/-0.2 mmHg increase in systolic/diastolic blood pressure in all participants. This effect was stronger in hypertensive participants (increase of 8.1+/-0.5/3.4+/-0.3 mmHg per 100 mEq/day) and smaller in normotensive participants (2.9+/-0.3/1.3+/-0.2 mmHg). These results support recommendations for low salt intake in Korean population to prevent and control adverse blood pressure levels.
Adult ; Algorithms ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Pressure/*physiology ; Demography ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/epidemiology/*urine ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Surveys ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sodium, Dietary/*urine ; Urine Specimen Collection

The relationship between salt intake and adequate blood pressure control is not well investigated in Korea populations, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease. This cross-sectional study enrolled 19,083 subjects who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2009-2011. The amount of salt intake was estimated using the Tanaka equations based on spot urine samples. Comparing patients with and without cardiovascular disease, systolic blood pressure (129.1+/-18.1 mmHg vs. 120.0+/-18.1 mmHg, P<0.001) and the amount of urinary sodium excretion (149.4+/-37.5 mM/day vs. 144.1+/-36.2 mM/day, P<0.001) were higher in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Among patients with cardiovascular disease, the high blood pressure group showed an increased amount of urinary sodium excretion compared to the normal blood pressure group (155.5+/-38.2 vs. 146.6+/-36.9 mM/day, P<0.001). The odds ratio (OR) of high blood pressure was higher (OR, 1.825; 95% CI, 1.187-2.807; P-for-trend 0.003, highest quartile of urinary sodium excretion vs. lowest quartile) in patients with cardiovascular disease. A higher amount of urinary sodium excretion was associated with a lower rate of adequate blood pressure control in Korean population, especially with cardiovascular disease.
Adult ; Aged ; Algorithms ; Blood Pressure/*physiology ; Cardiovascular Diseases/complications/*pathology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Demography ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Surveys ; Odds Ratio ; Sodium, Dietary/*urine

Excessive dietary salt intake is related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although dietary salt restriction is essential, it is difficult to achieve because of salt palatability. However, the association between salt perception or salt eating habit and actual salt intake remains uncertain. In this study, we recruited 74 healthy young individuals. We investigated their salt-eating habits by questionnaire and salt taste threshold through a rating scale that used serial dilution of a sodium chloride solution. Predicted 24-hr urinary salt excretions using Kawasaki's and Tanaka's equations estimated dietary salt intake. Participants' mean age was 35 yr, and 59.5% were male. Salt sense threshold did not show any relationship with actual salt intake and a salt-eating habit. However, those eating "salty" foods showed higher blood pressure (P for trend=0.048) and higher body mass index (BMI; P for trend=0.043). Moreover, a salty eating habit was a significant predictor for actual salt intake (regression coefficient [beta] for Kawasaki's equation 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 10-2.69, P=0.048; beta for Tanaka's equation 0.66, 95% CI 0.01-1.31, P=0.047). In conclusion, a self-reported salt-eating habit, not salt taste threshold predicts actual salt intake.
Adult ; Algorithms ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Demography ; Female ; Habits ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Questionnaires ; Self Report ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary/*urine ; Taste Perception ; Taste Threshold ; Urine Specimen Collection