Excessive Sodium Intake and Related Factors According to Energy Intakes Among Korean Elderly: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Tak, Young Jin; Lee, Jeong Gyu; Kim, Yun Jin; Lee, Sangyeoup; Jung, Dong Wook; Yi, Yu Hyeon; Cho, Young Hye; Choi, Eun Jung; Lee, Seung Hun; Hwang, Hye Lim; Cho, A Ra

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Few large-scale studies have investigated sodium intake in Korean elderly. We examined excessive sodium intake and related factors according to energy intake in this population.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012. We analyzed the 24-hour dietary recall data from 1,496 elderly individuals (635 men, 861 women), who were then categorized into three groups according to energy intake-insufficient, appropriate, and excessive. The association between sociodemographic factors and 4 g or more of sodium intake were examined by the multivariable logistic regression model.
RESULTS
Mean sodium intake was 4.7 g/day for men and 3.3 g/day for women. Subjects who consumed excessive energy had a higher risk of consuming 4 g or more of sodium in men (odds ratio [OR], 2.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-5.08) and women (OR, 3.89; 95% CI, 2.21-6.85) compared with subjects who consumed an appropriate amount of energy. In men, low house income (OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.07-5.19) in the group with insufficient energy intake and living alone (OR, 6.30; 95% CI, 2.26-17.54) in the group with excessive energy intake were significantly associated with excessive sodium intake. In women, alcohol use (OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 1.29-15.44) and regular walking (OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 1.15-9.03) in the group with excessive energy intake were significantly associated with excessive sodium intake.
CONCLUSION
We observed a significant association between excessive sodium intake with low income and living alone in men. Our findings suggest that dietary support to reduce sodium intake is needed in the elderly.