The evaluation of knowledge about the health effects of salt and salt consumption habits in Kaunas population

Aim: To evaluate Kaunas population knowledge about the health effects of salt and salt consumption patterns. Objectives: 1) To examine the possibilities of population to select foods with different amount of salt. 2) To assess Kaunas population knowledge about the health effects of salt. 3) To evaluate Kaunas population salt consumption habits. 4) To examine the association between knowledge and salt consumption habits, and age and education. Methods: In order to assess the possibilities of Kaunas population to choose foods with different amount of salt food labelling was examined in supermarkets. Food labels of the main food products were examined (altogether the labels of 147 food product). The study on evaluation of the knowledge of population about the salt effects on human health and salt consumption habits was carried out among Kaunas inhabitants leaving the supermarkets. 205 persons were interviewed using special questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 15.0). Results: The possibilities of Kaunas population to choose foods with different amount are limited, because only small proportion of food labels has information on amount of salt or sodium. Majority of interviewed persons indicated that high consumption of salt had negative effect on health. However knowledge on salt influence for development of certain disease was unsatisfactory. More than a half of respondents did not know the recommended daily salt intake. Gender differences in salt intake habits were found. Men more often than women used table salt. Higher educated respondents more often compared to low educated tried to put less salt cooking. Women and better educated persons preferred food products with lower salt content. Women, younger and highly educated respondents shopping more often than men, elderly and low educated ones read food labels and paid attention to salt (sodium) content. Conclusions: Kaunas population has limited possibilities to choose food products with different amount of salt (sodium), and their knowledge about the health effects of salt are unsatisfactory. Daily salt consumption habits of Kaunas population do not meet World Health Organization recommendations. In order to reduce salt consumption the EU framework for salt reduction initiatives should be implemented. Key words: Salt, population knowledge, health, salt consumption habits, food labelling