Relationship of sodium intake with obesity among Iranian children and adolescents

Emerging evidence suggests a relationship between sodium (Na) intake and obesity risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the link between 24-h urinary Na excretion and adiposity measures in a sample of Iranian children and adolescents.
This cross-sectional study was performed among 374 healthy individuals aged 11-18 years old. Random cluster sampling method was used to select the participants from 4 districts in Isfahan, Iran. Na excretion was estimated using a 24-h urinary sample. Creatinine (Cr) level was used to confirm the completeness of samples. Anthropometric measures including weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were obtained based on standard protocols.
The odds ratio (OR) for overweight/obesity in subjects with the highest tertile of Na excretion compared with the lowest tertile was 8.01 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.20-15.3] in crude model and 8.33 (95% CI 4.14-16.8) after adjusting for potential confounders. The association was independent of intake of energy and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). The OR for abdominal obesity in the highest tertile of Na excretion compared with the lowest tertile was 9.12 (95% CI 4.78- 17.4) in crude model and 9.75 (95% CI 4.88-19.5) after controlling for potential confounders. The association was independent of energy intake or SSBs consumption.
Our study showed a positive association between Na excretion and obesity among children and adolescents. Further investigation through longitudinal studies using a more representative sample of children and adolescents is suggested to determine whether this is a causal relationship.