In the U.S., experts learned that nine out of 10 children consume too much salt which increases their risk to suffer from heart disease and high blood pressure as they become older. Favorite foods such as pasta dishes, Mexican dishes, soups, savory snacks, chicken nuggets, cheese, sandwich meats and pizza are the major sources of sodium which make up more than forty percent of the children's salt consumption.
Children from age 6 to 18 have an average daily consumption of 3,300 mg of salt which is way higher than the recommended 2,300 mg per day as stated in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These high levels of salt consumption are already affecting the children's health.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that one in six young American kids already has elevated blood pressure. This condition is linked closely to high level of sodium consumption and obesity which can be a precursor to stroke and heart attack.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
"Too many children are consuming way too much sodium, and the result will be risks of high blood pressure and heart disease in the future," says Tom Frieden, CDC director.
The report also found out that lunch and dinner are the day's most salty meals. Most of the sodium content is already found in food before people buy or order it. Store foods provide 65 percent of the source of sodium. Fast food and pizza restaurant foods come second at 13 percent. Lastly, foods from the school cafeteria make up nine percent.
The CDC urges parents to prepare kids' meals with lots of vegetables and fruits together with wholesome and unprocessed foods. Schools can also help by lowering the amount of sodium in their food preparation and including food alternatives with lower sodium content in the school cafeterias and vending machines.
The American Heart Association advises that people should cut their salt consumption to as low as 1,500 mg a day. Most heart experts agree that the idea of cutting sodium is beneficial especially for children.
Having too much salt in food is just one part of the problem. Perhaps the most alarming result would be the way this type of eating habit among children could shape their future dietary preferences.
"We know that the taste for salt is established through diet at a young age," said Ileana Arias, CDC Deputy Principal Director. "Not only are children eating too much sodium, they are establishing a high threshold or taste for salt beyond childhood."
