Hygienic assessment of salt intake by the adult population of the Omsk region: epidemiological monitoring data (2006–2023)

An analysis of the nutrition structure of the Russian population shows that the diet of the majority of citizens contains an excessive amount of dietary salt. According to the official statistics, the average daily salt intake is 10-11 g, which is twice the WHO recommended level (no more than 5 g/day) and makes it one of the main risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases. Excessive salt intake, first of all, leads to an increase in blood pressure, as a result of which diseases of the cardiovascular system and kidneys can develop. Studying the regional characteristics of the nutrition structure allows timely adjustment of preventive measures, which is also important in the context of evaluating the effectiveness of the federal project "Strengthening public Health" of the national project "Demography" implemented in 2018-2023. <b>The purpose</b> of the study was to provide a hygienic assessment of the level, structure, and dynamics of salt consumption of the adult population of the Omsk region in 2006-2023. <b>Material and methods</b>. A descriptive observational epidemiological study of the actual nutrition, eating habits and dietary preferences of the adult population of the Omsk region in dynamics for 2006-2023 was conducted (four observation points: 2006, 2013, 2018 and 2023, the sample at each stage included from 228 to 241, in 2023 - 506 adult residents aged 18 to 85 years). The values of the actual consumption of dietary salt were estimated by analyzing the frequency of food intake. The calculation of the amount of salt consumed was carried out in accordance with WHO recommendations based on the calculation of sodium intake. The collection of the information about eating habits and preferences was carried out by means of an active questionnaire. <b>Results</b>. The median daily intake of dietary salt in the population of the Omsk region in 2006 was 10.67 [7.66; 13.50] g, in 2023 - 8.61 [6.55; 10.82] g, which significantly exceeded the level recommended by WHO. The proportion of the adult population of the Omsk region with adequate salt intake in 2023 was 11.5%. The intake of dietary salt in men was higher than in women (8.63 [7.10; 11.34] vs 8.42 [6.31; 10.46] g/day, respectively; p=0.0247), as well as in the age group 65 years and older (8.72 [7.11; 11.72] g/day; p=0.0059). The main sources of salt were dishes and products that were consumed most frequently: bread (11.2%) and various soups (9.9%), as well as processed meat products (12.8%) and canned food (5.7%). Residents of the region showed a positive trend in changing their own eating habits towards a healthy lifestyle: 49.9±2.1% tried to use less salt in their diet in 2023 (compared to 33.0±3.0% in 2006; p<0.001). <b>Conclusion</b>. Although a significant decrease in dietary salt consumption has been established over the period from 2006 to 2023, exceeding the recommended levels is still typical for 88.5% of the adult population of the region, which creates an increased risk of developing chronic non-communicable diseases. Despite some positive changes in dietary practices, there was an increase in salt consumption in 2018-2023. The established sources of salt in the diet and trends in changing eating habits make it possible to concentrate preventive measures, including in the direction of correcting educational programs in the field of healthy nutrition in the region, implemented both by the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being.