1 Fluminense Federal University, Brazil; 2 State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 3 Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Background: Evidence suggests that there is an association between sodium intake and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. A high sodium diet may encourage greater consumption of soft drinks and other SSBs in children and adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between dietary sodium and SSB consumption in adolescents from a low income population. Methods: Data are from the baseline of a randomized community trial conducted among 5th graders of 20 public schools in the city of Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2010. Consumption of dietary sodium and SSB was determined by one 24-hour dietary recall. Weight and height were taken and BMI was calculated. Regression analysis was used to assess the association between sodium and SSB consumption. Statistical analyses was performed by SAS (v.9.3). Results: Of the 456 participants, 51.9% were male. The mean age was 11 years old. 83% reported consuming SSBs. The daily mean consumption of SSB was 440ml and sodium was 3860mg. Dietary sodium intake was positively associated with SSB consumption (r=0.18, P<0.001). After adjustment for age, sex and BMI, each additional 1000mg/d of sodium was associated with a 50ml/d greater intake of SSB (P=0,0001). Conclusions: Our findings indicated that mean sodium intake exceeded the recommended daily upper limit of 2300mg/day and may predict a greater SSB consumption in adolescents of a low income population, where this kind of drinks are readily available. The excessive consumption of salt and ultra-processed food should be discouraged. These strategies may contribute to the reduction of SSB consumption and prevent obesity and high blood pressure.