Introduction: High sodium consumption over an extended period of time has been associated with hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular disease, renal damage, and other adverse health effects. This study aimed to determine urinary sodium excretion and consequently estimate dietary sodium consumption among normotensive health staff in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to acquire data on sodium excretion among normotensive Ministry of Health staff aged 20 - 56 years (mean age 35.08, SD 9.78) in 14 states and a research institute. Respondents were recruited using quota sampling. Data collection was conducted from December 2011 to February 2012. A single urine sample was collected over 24 hours for sodium concentrations and calculated as 95.0% of total daily sodium intake. Results: Among the 471 enrolled respondents, 445 (94.0%) provided complete information on socio-demography and urine samples. Mean urine sodium excretion was 142.0 mmol/day (SD 71.7), which is equivalent to 3429 mg sodium/day or 8.7 gm of salt intake (1.75 teaspoon, which exceeds the Malaysian recommendation of 2000 mg sodium/day by 1.7 times. About 79.0% (n=353) of respondents (88.0% male and 73.0% female) had daily sodium consumption that was above the recommendation. Excretion was significantly higher among males at 161.7 mmol/day (SD 78.1) (3726 mg sodium/day) than females, 125.3 mmolfday (SD 61.1) (2875 mg/day). There was a positive, low correlation between BMl and sodium intake (r=0.216, p
Obesity is an emerging public health threat in the elderly population in developing countries. Hence, the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey has assessed 4746 individuals aged 60 years and older recruited through a household survey to determine the prevalence of adiposity using body mass index and waist circumference. The national's prevalence of overweight and obesity in men was 29.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 27.2-31.3) and 7.4% (95% CI = 6.4-8.6), respectively. However, the prevalence decreased with age. The figures in women were 30.3% (95% CI = 28.5-32.1) and 13.8% (95% CI = 12.5-15.2), respectively. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 21.4% (95%CI = 20.2-22.6), with 7.7% (95% CI = 6.7-9.0) in men and 33.4% (95% CI = 31.4-35.3) in women. Predictors of adiposity include the following: Malay and Indian ethnicity, higher education level, higher household income, from urban area, and being married. In conclusion, adiposity affects about one third of the Malaysian elderly population, especially those of the younger age group, women, and those with higher socioeconomic status.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2006)