Factors related to high sodium intake based on 24-hour urinary sodium excretion in population aged 50 years and older

Factors which affect sodium consumption vary across various regions and populations, largely due to cultural preferences and age. This study aims to study and identify the factors associated with high sodium intake in the Iranian population aged 50 years and older. This study is a cross-sectional analysis within the framework of the ongoing Neyshabur Longitudinal Study on Ageing (NeLSA). The investigation of the factors associated with high sodium intake was based on 24-hour urinary sodium excretion. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between subjects' characteristics and urinary sodium excretion levels (≥ 2000 mg/day vs. <2000 mg/day). The study was conducted on 360 subjects with a mean age of 59.0 ± 4.8 years. Multiple Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for relevant covariates, showed that male sex (odds ratio (OR): 5.75; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25-26.62), high-risk waist-hip ratio (WHR) (OR: 5.42; 95% CI: 1.15-25.38), daily energy intake > 2472 kcal/day (OR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.02-3.95), and low intake of fruits (OR: 2.60; 95% CI 1.07-6.32) and vegetables (OR: 5.67; 95% CI: 1.48-21.71) were significantly associated with higher 24-hour urinary sodium excretion. Therefore, sex, WHR, calorie intake, and fruits and vegetables consumption should be considered when developing policy-based interventions to reduce sodium intake in populations aged 50 years and older.