DO NOT SALT

Efforts have been in progress within the framework of the “Health-3” project on the prevention of proliferation of non-infectious diseases. The results of studies on consumption of edible salt by the population, held in November-December 2015, were announced in the capital city. The country needs to fight against high salt consumption, the experts say.

The results of national studies on risk factors for non-infectious diseases served as a starting point for conducting the monitoring process. They indicate that 37% of the country’s adult population consumes food with excessive salt content, while 16.4% of the adult population is noted for their low physical activity. Consequently, 20.2% of adults have excessive body weight, and 33.9% - elevated blood pressure.

The major tasks of the new study included assessment of the average edible salt consumption by the population of Uzbekistan aged between 18-64, conducting consumption certification by gender, age and in the context of “town-village”, as well as collecting information for elaboration and realization of measures on the reduction of this indicator.

Direct data collection was carried out in five regions of the Republic. It revealed that the average consumption of edible salt by the adult population equaled to 14.9 grams per diem. Moreover, 46.5% of the population is noted for high level of salt consumption (more than 15 grams per day), 53.2% - medium level (7.5-15 grams) and 0.3% - low level (less than 7.5 grams). And this is despite the WHO recommended level of less than 5 grams of salt per diem.

The study also discovered dependency of salt intake on the age and geographical living conditions. Thus, residents of Karakalpakstan consume on the average 18.5 g of salt per day. Salt intake is less in Ferghana region (16.9 g), still lesser - in Bukhara (15.9 g), Tashkent and Andijon regions - 12.6 and 12.5 g respectively. Meanwhile, no difference in salt consumption has been identified between urban and rural residents.

Also were explained possible sources of salts entering the body. These include drinking water, natural sodium in food products, foodstuffs, salt added to cooked dishes, as well as drugs.

Annual salt consumption in Uzbekistan makes up 130 thousand tons. There are about 70 manufacturers producing this output at 163 production facilities operating in this country.

Excessive salt consumption causes high blood pressure, which, in its turn, increases the risk of cardio-vascular diseases and stroke.

Stemming from the revealed average value of salt consumption of 14.9 grams per day by the adult population of Uzbekistan in 2015, the target level of salt intake should be reduced down to 10.4 grams per day, according to the WHO recommendations.

Jahon Information Agency