Potassium urinary excretion and dietary intake: a cross-sectional analysis in 8-10 year-old children

Background: Data from studies assessing the intake of potassium, and the concomitant sodium-to-potassium ratio are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate potassium and sodium-to-potassium ratio intake in 8-10 year-old children. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out from January to June 2014 and data from 163 children (81 boys) were included. Potassium intake was estimated by 24-h urine collection and coefficient of creatinine was used to validate completeness of urine collections. Urinary sodium and sodium-to-potassium ratio were also analysed. A 24-h dietary recall was used to provide information on dietary sources of potassium. Height and weight were measured according to international standards. Results: The mean urinary potassium excretion was 1701 +/- 594 mg/day in boys, and 1682 +/- 541 mg/day in girls (p = 0.835); 8.0 % of children met the WHO recommendations for potassium intake. The mean sodium excretion was 2935 +/- 1075 mg/day in boys and 2381 +/- 1045 mg/day in girls (p < 0.001) and urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio was 3.2 +/- 1.4 in boys, and 2.5 +/- 1.1 in girls (p = 0.002). The mean fruit and vegetable intake was 353.1 +/- 232.5 g/day in boys, and 290.8 +/- 213.1 g/day in girls (p = 0.101). Conclusions: This study reported a low compliance of potassium intake recommendations in 8-10 year-old children. Health promotion interventions are needed in order to broaden public awareness of potassium inadequacy and to increase potassium intake