Asian American Dietary Sources of Sodium and Salt Behaviors Compared with Other Racial/Ethnic Groups, NHANES, 2011-2012

Abstract

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Asian Americans consume more sodium than other racial/ethnic groups. The purpose of this analysis was to describe major sources of sodium intake to inform sodium reduction initiatives. </p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cross-sectional data on adults (aged &gt;18 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012 with one 24-hour dietary recall were analyzed (n=5,076). Population proportions were calculated from “What We Eat in America” (WWEIA) food categories. </p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Asian Americans had a higher sodium density vs adults of other racial/ ethnic groups (means in mg/1000kcal: Asian American, 2031.1; Hispanic,1691.6; White: 1666.5; Black: 1655.5; P&lt;.05, all). Half of sodium consumed by Asian Americans came from the top 10 food categories, in contrast to Hispanics (43.6%), Whites (39.0%), and Blacks (36.0%). Four food categories were a top source of sodium for Hispanics, Whites, Blacks, and others, but not among Asian Americans: cold cuts and cured meats; meat mixed dishes; eggs and omelets; and cheese. The top three food category sources of sodium among Asians were soups, rice, and yeast breads accounting for 28.9% of dietary sodium. Asian Americans were less likely to add salt at the table, but used salt in food preparation ‘very often’ (P for both &lt;.01). </p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Mean sodium consumption and sources vary across racial/ethnic groups with highest consumption in Asian Americans. Given the smaller number of food categories contributing to sodium intake in Asian Americans, results imply that targeted activities on a few food items would have a large impact on reducing sodium intake in this group.</p><p><em>Ethn Dis. </em>2017;27(3):241-248; doi:10.18865/ed.27.3.241 </p>