2011 Sodium Reduction in Communities Shawnee County Survey: Methods and Key Findings

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and contributes to nearly half of all cardiovascular-related deaths in the U.S. Even small reductions in sodium intake may lower blood pressure, help prevent the onset of hypertension or help control blood pressure among hypertensive adults. Current recommendations to reduce sodium intake include increasing public awareness about the amount of sodium added to processed and packaged foods and the health outcomes of a high-sodium diet. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of clinic-measured and self-reported hypertension among Shawnee County, Kansas adults 18 years and older and to assess their average sodium intake and knowledge and behaviors related to sodium consumption.

METHODS: The 2011 Sodium Reduction in Communities Shawnee County Survey was conducted during April-November, 2011 to provide information on prevalence of hypertension; sodium intake; and knowledge and behaviors related to sodium consumption. The survey is unique in its design and consisted of three components: (1) telephone interview, which utilized the Kansas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) design; (2) clinical measurement of height, weight and blood pressure; and (3) a web-based Automated Self-administered 24-hour Dietary Recall (ASA24) instrument. Data were weighted to be representative of the adult population of Shawnee County. 

RESULTS: A total of 834 Shawnee County adults completed the telephone interview; of those, 695 (83%) completed clinic visits. One-third (34.3%) of adults had hypertension based on clinical measures or self-reported use of blood pressure lowering medication. This estimate was consistent with self-report of ever being diagnosed with high blood pressure (34.9%). Average sodium intake among Shawnee County adults was 3,508 mg/day. Approximately 90.1 percent of adults strongly agreed or agreed that reducing the amount of salt in your diet can reduce blood pressure. Adults indicated eating slightly more than three meals prepared outside the home per week, on average. 

CONCLUSIONS: Despite high knowledge regarding food sources of sodium and the link between sodium intake and high blood pressure, average sodium intake among Shawnee County adults exceeds current recommendations. The Shawnee County Sodium Reduction in Communities Project is currently implementing interventions that support access to and availability of low-sodium options in Shawnee County. This particular study highlights a unique method for collecting local-level data to inform and evaluate community-level sodium reduction interventions.