Very little salt is required to keep a child healthy. They should eat much lesser amount of salt compared to adults (nothing more than 6 grams of salt a day). But according to a new federal study, a significant number of children in the country are consuming a diet high in sodium, putting them at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure at such a young age.
Investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention included more than 6,000 children aged between eight and 18 for analyzing the salt intake of the young generation. All the children in the study were part of the 2003- 2008 national health surveys.
The findings are based on the details, children shared with the investigators. Results showed children consuming nearly 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day, almost equal to the level recommended for an adult.
Children on high salt intake were found at a double risk of developing high blood pressure than other children. The study found the high salt levels affecting the obese or overweight children more than others, with a three and half times higher risk of developing high blood pressure.
According to experts, the childhood hypertension can lead to adult hypertension and early development of coronary artery disease (CAD).
The findings support the reports published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, in June that found a dramatic increase in the number of American children treated for high blood pressure recently. The study, initiated by researchers from the University of Michigan found children as young as nine years old, developing high blood pressure and childhood obesity playing a major part.
Following are the daily level of salt for children, as recommended by experts from NHS Choices:
1 to 3 years: 2g salt a day (0.8g sodium)
4 to 6 years: 3g salt a day (1.2g sodium)
7 to 10 years: 5g salt a day (2g sodium)
11 years and over: 6g salt a day (2.4g sodium)
According to World Action on Salt & Health (WASH), a high salt intake in children "influences blood pressure and may predispose an individual to the development of a number of diseases including: high blood pressure, osteoporosis, respiratory illnesses such as asthma, stomach cancer and obesity."
Providing healthy snacks like fruits and yogurt other than crisps and changing ham and cheese sandwiches for chicken or tuna and monitoring the salt levels of sauces, bread and cereals help in reducing salt intake of kids, WASH recommends.
