12. “Use salt and foods high in salt sparingly”: a food-based dietary guideline for South Africa

  • Edelweiss Wentzel-Viljoen North-West University (Potch)
  • K Steyn University of Cape Town
  • E Ketterer Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa
  • C E Charlton University of Wollongong
Keywords: guideline, salt, sodium

Abstract

Increased salt intake leads to an increase in blood pressure and decreased sodium intake relative to the usual or increased intake results in lowered blood pressure in adults, with or without hypertension. Blood pressure is a strong proxy indicator for the risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and strokes. Hypertension is estimated to have caused 9% of all deaths in South Africa in 2000. In 2008, 42% of men and 34% of women aged 35-44 years, and 60% of men and 50% of women aged 45-54 years, were hypertensive. More than 70% of both men and women older than 65 years of age were hypertensive in 2008. Multilevel and multisectorial strategies are required to lower salt intake at population level, including the legislation of food supply, clearer labelling and signposting of food packaging, and improved consumer education on behavioural change regarding salt usage practices. A comprehensive national strategy that focuses on salt reduction is needed to reduce national blood pressure levels in the future. Legislating the levels of salt in processed food is only one part of this national strategy. All health professionals and educators should also provide appropriate nutritional recommendations that will educate, motivate and enable consumers to change their nutritional behaviour to reduce salt intake to less than 5 g per day, as recommended. The aim of this review is to revise the current food-based dietary guideline for salt, the implementation of which would contribute to lowering population salt intake, and blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, in South Africa.

Author Biographies

Edelweiss Wentzel-Viljoen, North-West University (Potch)
PhD (Dietetics) Centre of Excellence for Nutrition Faculty of Health Sciences North-West University Potchefstroom
K Steyn, University of Cape Town
MBChB Chronic Disease Initiative in Africa Department of Medicine University of Cape Town
E Ketterer, Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa
BSc Dietetics Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa
C E Charlton, University of Wollongong
PhD School of Health Sciences Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences University of Wollongong
Published
2013-07-15
How to Cite
Wentzel-Viljoen, E., Steyn, K., Ketterer, E., & Charlton, C. (2013). 12. “Use salt and foods high in salt sparingly”: a food-based dietary guideline for South Africa. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26(S), S105-S113. Retrieved from http://sajcn.redbricklibrary.com/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/753
Section
Food-Based Dietary Guidelines for South Africa