Dietary Salt Consumption in Saudi Arabia: Bridging Knowledge Gaps and Behavioral Insights for Public Health Action

Background: Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KABs) related to dietary salt intake is essential for developing effective public health interventions to reduce excessive salt consumption and associated health risks. This study offers a comprehensive assessment of salt-related KABs among adults residing in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from December 2022 to May 2023, targeting residents aged 16 years and older. A structured questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics and salt-related KABs. Descriptive statistics summarized the findings. Results: Among 1,308 participants (average age 37.7 years; 72% women), 95.8% recognized health risks of excessive salt, particularly its link to hypertension (95.5%) and kidney disease (79.4%). Awareness of its association with heart disease (50.5%) and stroke (28.3%) was lower. While 46% believed the Saudi population consumes too much salt, only 25.9% knew the recommended daily limit, and just 17.5% felt their personal intake exceeded guidelines. Attitudinally, 88.1% supported regulatory actions to reduce salt in processed foods. Behaviorally, 62% rarely or never checked sodium labels, and over 75% rarely requested low-salt options when dining out. Women and older adults demonstrated greater awareness and healthier behaviors. Conclusion: Despite high awareness of salt-related health risks, major knowledge and behavioral gaps remain among Saudi adults. The implementation of front-of-pack nutrition labeling is recommended to improve consumer awareness and reduce intake. The findings support targeted educational campaigns and policy interventions to align with national health priorities.