Changes in dietary habits and knowledge concerning salt during a community-based prevention programme for...

As part of the North Karelia Project a community-based intervention programme to reduce salt consumption was initiated in 1979. The aim of this three-year Salt Project was to evaluate the feasibility and effects of salt reduction in the population. Cross-sectional random population samples, aged 14 to 65 years, were examined both in North Karelia and the reference community in 1979 and 1982. The surveys included among other measurements 24-hour urine collection for Na and K excretion, a salt use index based on reported salt use and a knowledge index concerning salt and health. Changes in the salt intake level were very small. In men Na excretion increased slightly in North Karelia and stayed the same in the reference area. The Na/K ratio in North Karelian men increased significantly. The mean Na excretion level decreased slightly in women in both areas. The reduction in the Na/K ratio in North Karelian women and the decrease in the salt use index in women in both areas were significant. Further analyses showed that in both areas a significant reduction in Na excretion was found but only among normotensive women. There were no changes in the knowledge concerning salt. The feasibility of salt intake reduction was low partly due to insufficient environmental changes.