Reducing Sodium in Children's Diets
The pressure is on to keep blood pressure down
September 2014
90%
About 90% of US children ages 6-18 years eat too much sodium daily.
10
10 common types of foods contributed more than 40% of the sodium eaten by children.
1 in 6
1 in 6 children has raised blood pressure, which can be lowered in part by a healthy diet, including less sodium.
About 9 in 10 US children eat more sodium than recommended. Most sodium is in the form of salt, as a part of processed foods. A high sodium diet can lead to high blood pressure. About 1 in 6 children ages 8-17 years has raised blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Lowering sodium in children's diets today can help prevent heart disease tomorrow, especially for those who are overweight. The taste for salt is established through diet at a young age. Parents and caregivers can help lower sodium by influencing the way foods are produced, sold, prepared, and served.
As a parent and caregiver, you can:
- Model healthy eating for your children by having a diet rich in fruits and vegetables without added sodium.
- Compare Nutrition Facts labels to choose the lowest sodium option before you buy.
- Ask your grocery manager to provide more low sodium options of your family's favorite foods.
- Request restaurant nutrition information to make lower sodium choices.
Issue Details
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Infographic collapsed
What Can Be Done collapsed
Science Behind the Issue collapsed
Related Pages expanded
- Vital Signs Issue details: Vital Signs: Sodium Intake Among U.S. School-Aged Children — 2009–2010, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
- CDC Feature- Most Americans Should Consume Less Sodium (1,500 mg/Day or Less)
- Too Much Sodium [PODCAST - 01:15 minutes]
- Too Much Sodium [PSA - 0:60 seconds]
- Salt infographics
- Sodium Reduction Toolkit: A Global Opportunity to Reduce Population-Level Sodium Intake
- Salt Resources
On Other Web Sites
Parents and Caregivers
- Want to learn more about the ways schools are cutting back sodium
? Check out these resources.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Use this guide
[PDF - 1.84 MB] to plan sodium reduction strategies with your local parent-teacher organization.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - A low sodium diet is one part of a healthy diet. Read more about School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Nutrition Labels can be confusing at first. Find out what to look for on the label
National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Need help on getting your family to read Nutrition Labels
- Use the infographic as a quick label reading lesson.
- Try the family activities provided to make label reading fun!
- Then use the guide to pass the knowledge down to your kids.
- Get 10 easy tips to reduce sodium
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Are you still unsure how you can reduce sodium
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Want to know more about sodium in processed foods
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Read more about how fruits and vegetables can be great alternatives to higher sodium snacks. If serving frozen or canned vegetables or fruit, choose those with low or no sodium.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - For more information on high blood pressure and children. What you need to know
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH
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