ESTIMATION OF TOTAL SALT CONSUMPTION FROM DIETARY SODIUM INTAKE AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG ADULTS OF MARDAN

Abstract

Background: Excessive dietary salt intake is a major modifiable risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, particularly in developing countries where dietary habits are changing rapidly. This study estimated total dietary salt intake from sodium consumption among adults of District Mardan and examined its association with blood pressure. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 200 adults aged 20–65 years using a 24-hour dietary recall and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were also recorded, and nutrient intake was analyzed using NutriSurvey software. Statistical analysis, including multivariate general linear modeling, was performed in SPSS version 20. Results: The mean dietary sodium intake was 2079 ± 685.94 mg/day, corresponding to an estimated salt intake of 4.91 ± 1.39 g/day; 55% of participants exceeded the WHO-recommended limit of 5 g/day. Nearly half of the respondents (46.0%) were classified as likely hypertensive. Salt intake was positively associated with systolic blood pressure (β = 0.74, p < 0.05), whereas potassium intake was inversely associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Likely-hypertensive individuals also showed higher body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and energy intake, alongside lower intake of fiber, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins D, B9, and B12. Age, gender, salt intake, and potassium intake emerged as significant independent predictors of blood pressure. Conclusion: Elevated blood pressure among adults of Mardan is driven largely by excessive salt intake and poor overall diet quality, underscoring the need for community-based salt-reduction and dietary-quality interventions.

Keywords: Dietary salt; Sodium intake; Blood pressure; Hypertension; Sodium–potassium ratio; Mardan