World Salt Awareness Day or World Non-Communicable Diseases Day on May 22. Aleem M A. Hakkim A M . BMJ 2017;356:i6699

BMJ

Research

Cost effectiveness of a government supported policy strategy to decrease sodium intake: global analysis across 183 nations

BMJ 2017; 356 doi: http://d809x.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i6699 (Published 10 January 2017)

Cite this as: BMJ 2017;356:i6699

Rapid response

World Salt Awareness Day or World Non-Communicable Diseases Day on May 22.

In recent years the increasing production of more and more processed food, rapid urbanization, and changing lifestyles are transforming dietary patterns in the world's population. Highly processed foods are increasing in availability and becoming more affordable. People around the world are consuming more energy-dense foods that are high in saturated fats, trans fats, sugars, and salt even in under developed and in developing countries. Salt is the primary source of sodium, and increased consumption of sodium is associated with hypertension and increased risk of heart disease and stroke and other non-communicable diseases.

In India, people consume more than 10.98 grams of salt per day, which is 120% more than the recommended limit of five grams per day of salt by the World Health Organization.

In Tamil Nadu, the average intake of salt per day is around 6.7 to 8.1 grams.

A higher in take of salt is associated with stroke, heart attack, migraine, cancer and renal disease.

So awareness is important about salt and health.

In India, to increase awareness and to control salt intake the Government should consider implementing a "national salt control program" at primary health care level.

At the international level, the World Health Organisation should adopt "World Salt Awareness Day" or "World Non-Communicable Diseases Day" every year on May 22. On that date only in 2004 the Fifty-seventh World Health Assembly recalled and recognised the importance of a "Global strategy for diet, physical activity and health".

Competing interests: No competing interests

13 January 2017

M A Aleem

Neurologist

A M Hakkim

ABC Hospital

Annamalainagar. Trichy 620018. Tamilnadu. India

@drmaaleem