Introduction: One of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the burden of NCDs is the reduction of sodium intake. WHO recommends a 30% relative reduction in mean population intake of sodium within 2025 (baseline 2010) and an adequate potassium intake. In Italy, the Ministry of Health has strengthened prevention/health promotion and financed national health examination surveys (HESs) conducted within the CUORE Project to monitor the habitual salt and potassium intake in the general adult population. A new survey started in 2023 and is still ongoing, promoted and financed by the Ministry of Health – CCM and the European Commission through JACARDI. Hypothesis: This analysis aims to assess if Italy can meet the WHO target on salt intake and to monitor the levels of potassium intake in the general adult population. Methods: In the period 2023-2025, a 24h urine sodium and potassium excretion assessment within a new HES was implemented. Up to now, data from random samples of residents in 17 Regions (of 20 regions) distributed in North, Centre and South of Italy are available (1616 men, 1609 women, aged 35-74 years). Urinary excretion is assayed by a central lab. Persons with urinary volume < 500 ml and/or a urinary creatinine content referred to body weight outside the range of population mean ± 2 standard deviations are excluded. Statistics were standardized by Italian 2024 age-sex distribution. Results: An adequate salt intake level (lower than 5g/day - WHO recommended target) was detected in 10.6% (95% confidence interval: 7.6-13.6%) of men and 23.6% (19.5-27.8%) of women and an adequate potassium intake level (higher than 3510 mg/day - WHO recommended target) was detected in 25.8% (21.5-30.0%) of men and 12.7% (9.4-15.9%) of women. Mean level of salt per day was 9.3 g (8.9-9.6 g) and 7.1 g (6.9-7.4 g), and mean level of potassium per day was 3.0 g (2.9-3.1 g) and 2.5 g (2.4-2.6 g) for men and women respectively. Conclusions: In Italian adults, compared to 2008, the habitual salt intake decreased of about 12% in 2018 and remained stable in 2023/2025; the habitual potassium intake remained stable in 2008, 2018 and 2023/2025; the salt and potassium intake mean levels are still not adequate. These results justify and encourage the ongoing preventive initiatives of Ministry of Health, facilitating the meeting of WHO targets.
Donfrancesco et al. (Tue,) studied this question.