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Parents Not Sure About
Salt Intake For Kids

Salt Awareness Week 29th Jan to 4th Feb 2008

Although most parents know that a high salt diet is linked to high blood pressure, few are aware of just how seriously an excess of salt can affect them and their children. Research reveals that only a quarter are aware that high salt intake is linked with conditions as serious as stomach cancer. Less than 1 in 5 realise that too much salt can lead to osteoporosis. Only 19% are aware that a salt excess in their child’s diet can aggravate the symptoms of asthma. These statistics are troubling and suggest that this is an area that parents really need more guidance on.

This research conducted by the Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) and Netmums is particularly worrying because a high salt diet can be damaging to children’s health. Trials conducted as part of the research show that eating a high salt diet in childhood pushes blood pressure up. Children who eat more salt were also shown to have a higher blood pressure than children who eat less salt, which could lead to health difficulties as they get older.

The key to keeping your child on a low salt diet is to make sure that they stay well under the maximum daily limit for salt. The 6g a day figure has been pushed quite strongly in the media, but it is important to remember that this is the maximum daily limit for adults. Children should actually be eating much less than this. A 4-6 year old, for instance should not be eating more than 3g a day, and a 2-3 year old should eat no more than 2g a day. Considering a single slice of bread can contain 0.5g of salt and a bowl of cereal with milk contains 0.7g of salt it is easy to see how the daily limit can be reached very quickly.

If you’re unsure how to stick below this limit you’ll be glad to know that this week is Salt Awareness Week so there’s plenty of advice available.

For more information on keeping your child’s salt intake as low as possible visit www.actiononsalt.org.uk

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One in five children in the UK is overweight: It isn’t hard to work out why. It is becoming easier and easier for children to get hold of junk food and easier and easier for them to avoid exercising. Schools have cafeteria-style lunches and junk food filled vending machines; the requirements of league tables mean PE time is reduced; more and more kids are driven to school rather than walk as parents fear for their children’s safety.


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