Excessive Sodium Intake in America
It's recommended that Americans consume less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day. Americans have a penchant for consuming a lot of sodium. The consumption rate is up by 55% from the previous year. This situation emerges as a consequence of the sodium present in refined restaurant foods. Furthermore, most people have increased the number of meals they consume outside of their homes (Boon, Taylor & Henney, 2010). As a result, restaurant foods are the primary source of sodium in the country's diet.
The Role of Low-Calorie Meals
The availability of low-calorie meals in restaurants is another factor that contributes to excessive sodium intake. Furthermore, the public health message about consumption has gained less attention, and so many people still have increased sodium intake. The burden of hypertension is today common among the middle-aged adults (ages 50 to 60) (Boon et al., 2010). This condition has also affected the children of ages 7 to 16, especially the African-American and Hispanic children.
Health Measures to Reduce Sodium Intake
Health measures that can be taken to reduce excess sodium intake include minimizing the impact of taste. The majority of people will not notice a decrease in sodium if it is done consistently, because they will adapt to the taste. However, this measure can only be achieved through applying a multi-strategy mechanism. This mechanism involves increasing the number of people who are informed of the recommended amount of sodium to be taken daily and increasing the number of those trying to reduce their consumption levels (Boon et al., 2010).
National Collaboration and Policy Support
Lastly, the policy makers can support the national collaborative effort to engage the food manufacturers to voluntarily reduce the amount of sodium in their products. In conclusion, excessive sodium intake is currently common to various age groups including children and, therefore, there is the need for an urgent response.
Reference
Boon, C. S., Taylor, C. L., & Henney, J. E. (Eds.). (2010). Strategies to reduce sodium intake in the United States. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
