Sodium Intake Influences Children’s Blood Pressure Levels

Sodium intake among U.S. children and teens is as high as that of adults.

The study, “Sodium Intake and Blood Pressure Among US Children and Adolescents,” in the October 2012 issue of Pediatrics (published online Sept. 17) examined the sodium intake and weight status of 6,235 U.S. children and teens, and the impact of these two factors on blood pressure. The authors found that boys tended to consume more sodium than girls.

The study concluded that U.S. children with higher sodium intake had a higher risk for high blood pressure. This association is even stronger for children who are overweight or obese. About 37 percent of children in the study were overweight or obese and 15 percent had elevated or high blood pressure.

Researchers suggest that interventions to reduce sodium intake and increase physical activity may help reduce the prevalence of elevated and high blood pressure in children and adolescents.