Salt in children’s diet

High salt (sodium) intake on childhood is linked to high blood rescue in later life. In turn, raised blood pressure increase the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and kidney diseases.

Babies need very little salt. Salt should not be added to any food prepared for babies. Their immature kidneys are unable to cope with salt.

The main problem is hypernatraemia, which causes dehydration with symptoms of irritability, poor appetite and sometimes convulsions. If hypernatraemia is not treated it can cause permanent brain damage and can be fatal.

A meta-analysis of salt reduction trials in children showed that a modest reduction in salt intake causes immediate falls in blood pressure.

Exposing children to salty foods will habituate a taste for salty foods which is hard to shake off in later life.

The trend toward eating more meals outside of the home has increased the child’s exposure to salt. One third of money spend on food in United States is spent in restaurants or fast food chain.
Salt in children’s diet