Dietary sodium intake by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire among undergraduate students of Mahidol...

To assess sodium intake and identify its sources among undergraduate students aged 17 to 20 years who lived in the dormitory of Mahidol University, Salaya Campus.

A cross sectional study was conducted among 170 students in July 2007. Data were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.

The mean total daily sodium intake was 5,225.0 +/- 2,228.9 mg for males and 4,497.9 +/- 2,091.2 mg for females. Male students consumed significantly higher sodium than females (p = 0.030). Daily sodium intake mainly came from one plate meals in the campus cafeteria which the average was 2,852.3 +/- 1,421.8 mg/day in males and 2,042.3 +/- 1,214.2 mg/day in females. Males consumed significantly higher sodium from one plate meals than females (p < 0.001). In addition, the average sodium intake from seasoning added during consumption was 539.8 +/- 498.8 mg/day in males and 473.3 +/- 514.5 mg/day in females. Dietary sodium intake among students was 2-fold higher than recommended amount (2,400 mg per day).

The findings revealed that the undergraduate students who mainly consumed one plate meals are at risk of high sodium intake. Nutrition promotion for reducing sodium consumption in students and food vendors is needed for early prevention of chronic diseases in later life.