Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Mar 16;9(3):422.
doi: 10.3390/children9030422.

Assessing the Association of Sodium, Potassium Intake and Sodium/Potassium Ratio on Blood Pressure and Central Adiposity Measurements amongst Ellisras Undernourished, Rural Children Aged 5-13 Years: South Africa

Thato Tshepo Raphadu  1 , Moloko Matshipi  1 , Peter Modupi Mphekgwana  2 , Kotsedi Daniel Monyeki  1
Affiliations

Assessing the Association of Sodium, Potassium Intake and Sodium/Potassium Ratio on Blood Pressure and Central Adiposity Measurements amongst Ellisras Undernourished, Rural Children Aged 5-13 Years: South Africa

Thato Tshepo Raphadu et al. Children (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies have shown how diet, such as sodium (Na) and potassium (K) intake, is an important risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study aimed to assess the relationship between sodium intake, potassium intake; and sodium/potassium ratio with blood pressure (BP) and abdominal obesity amongst Ellisras rural children.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, data on dietary intake of sodium and potassium were collected using a 24-h recall questionnaire from a total of 765 participants, aged 5-13 years. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were also collected. Generalised linear models and Pearson correlation were conducted to assess the association of sodium intake, potassium intake; and their ratio with BP, waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR).

Results: In both age groups, less than 14.9% of males and 19.8% of females consumed above the recommended adequate intake (AI) of sodium. In addition, both age groups had more than 90% of males and females who consumed below the recommended AI of potassium. Moreover, the sodium/potassium ratio was above the WHO recommended level in more than 30% of males and females. The study found a significant, weak positive correlation of sodium intake with systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and with WHtR. A significant, weak positive correlation was also found between sodium/potassium ratio and WHtR. In addition, a significant association was found between potassium intake and systolic BP.

Conclusion: Although our study found a notable low average intake of sodium and potassium as compared to the recommended values. There was positive correlation found between sodium intake and BP. Furthermore, a positive correlation of sodium intake and sodium/potassium ratio with WHtR was also found.

Keywords: potassium; sodium; sodium/potassium ratio.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. World Health Organization . Guideline: Potassium Intake for Adults and Children. World Health Organization; Geneva, Switzerland: 2012. - PubMed
    1. World Health Organization . Effect of Reduced Sodium Intake on Blood Pressure, Renal Function, Blood Lipids and Other Potential Adverse Effects. World Health Organization; Geneva, Switzerland: 2012.
    1. Meier T., Senftleben K., Deumelandt P., Christen O., Riedel K., Langer M. Healthcare Costs Associated with an Adequate Intake of Sugars, Salt and Saturated Fat in Germany: A Health Econometrical Analysis. PLoS ONE. 2015;10:e0135990. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135990. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Saeid N., Elmzibri M., Hamrani A., Latifa Q., Belghiti H., El Berri H., Benjeddou K., Bouziani A., Benkirane H., Taboz Y., et al. Assessment of Sodium and Potassium Intakes in Children Aged 6 to 18 Years by 24 h Urinary Excretion in City of Rabat, Morocco. J. Nutr. Metab. 2018;2018:1–8. doi: 10.1155/2018/8687192. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Caudarella R., Vescini F., Rizzoli E., Francucci C.M. Salt intake, hypertension, and osteoporosis. J. Endocrinol. Investig. 2009;32:15–20. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources