Associations between university students’ sodium knowledge and sodium-related dietary behaviors

Résumé fourni par la source

Abstract Objective To assess the relationships between four sodium knowledge domains and four sodium-related dietary behaviors among university students. Design Cross-sectional, web-based survey conducted during the 2018–2019 academic year. Setting Three large state universities in Southern California. Participants We conducted a secondary analysis of survey data from 3,094 university students, including those attending a university that implemented LACSRI (Los Angeles County Sodium Reduction Initiative) strategies. Multivariable analyses examined associations between self-reported sodium knowledge measures and self-reported dietary behaviors. We also evaluated associations between LACSRI-targeted university attendance status (classified as exposure) and the four dietary behaviors. Results Participants who accurately identified the recommended daily sodium intake as one teaspoon or less of salt per day had higher odds of infrequently adding salt during cooking or preparing meals (aOR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.23–1.68) and infrequently consuming processed foods high in salt (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.07–1.47). Those who accurately identified the recommended daily sodium intake as 1,500-2,300 mg per day had higher odds of limiting packaged food consumption (aOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.01–1.66) and ordering plant-centered meals (aOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.47–2.59). Mixed associations were observed for proficiency in reading sodium content on Nutrition Facts labels and accuracy in identifying high-sodium foods. LACSRI exposure was associated with higher odds of reporting all four behaviors, although the packaged-food association was borderline ( p = 0.049). Conclusions Associations between sodium-related knowledge and dietary behaviors varied across knowledge domains, with several positive associations observed. Findings suggest that universities may be well-positioned to implement multi-component strategies that pair nutrition education with sodium-related policy, systems, and environmental changes.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.