| Summary: | <h4>Objective</h4> <p>To update the estimate of mean salt intake for the Australian population made by the Australian Health Survey (AHS).</p> <h4>Design</h4> <p>A secondary analysis of the data collected in a cross–sectional survey was conducted. Estimates of salt intake were made in Lithgow using the 24-hour diet recall methodology employed by the AHS as well as using 24-hour urine collections. The data from the Lithgow sample were age and sex weighted, to provide estimates of daily salt intake for the Australian population based upon (1) the diet recall data and (2) the 24-hour urine samples.</p> <h4>Setting</h4> <p>Lithgow, New South Wales (NSW), Australia.</p> <h4>Subjects</h4> <p>Individuals ≥ 20 years residing in Lithgow and listed on the 2009 Federal electoral roll.</p> <h4>Results</h4> <p>Mean daily salt intake estimated from the 24-hour diet recalls was 6.4g/day (95% CI 6.2-6.7) for the Lithgow population compared to a corresponding figure of 6.2g/day for the Australian population derived from the AHS. The corresponding estimate of salt intake for Lithgow adults based upon the 24-hour urine collections was 9.0g/day (8.6-9.4). When the age- and sex- specific estimates of salt intake obtained from the 24-hour urine collections in the Lithgow sample were weighted using Australian census data, estimated salt intake for the Australian population was 9.0g/day (8.6-9.5). Further adjustment for non-urinary sodium excretion makes the best estimate of daily salt intake for both Lithgow and Australia about 9.9g/day.</p> <h4>Conclusion</h4> <p>The diet recall method used by the AHS likely substantially underestimated mean population salt consumption in Australia.</p>
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