Determination of sodium excretion in urine and sodium intake through diet in adult individuals by developing a food frequency questionnaire with added salt

The study was planned and conducted to determine the amount of sodium excretion in 24-hour and spot urine and the amount of salt consumption from sodium excretion in healthy individuals aged 19-64 years in the first stage, to determine the validity of the food consumption frequency questionnaire (BTS-Salt), which includes foods with added salt, according to urinary sodium excretion values and to test it by applying BTS-Salt in a certain sample group in the second stage. The population of the study consisted of all individuals who applied to two Nutrition and Diet Counselling Centres in Şehitkamil district of Gaziantep province and accepted to participate in the study. In the first stage of the study, a total of 40 individuals (Male: 42.5%, Female: 57.5%) constituted the sample of the study, demographic characteristics were analysed by statistical methods, urinary sodium, creatinine excretion and 24-hour urine volume were determined by urine analysis of the individuals, and the validity of the developed salt-added food consumption frequency questionnaire (BTS-Salt) was determined by applying it. The mean sodium excretion was 128.1±5.63 mmol/L in spot urine and 136.6±6.53 mmol/L in 24-hour urine and the relationship was significant (Difference: -8.475 mmol/L, -6.2%, r=0.194, p<0.001). The mean salt intake calculated according to urinary sodium excretion was 14.1±2.11 g/day with spot urine and 13.5±2.24 g/day with 24-hour urine (p<0.001). According to the data, there was a significant difference between spot urine and 24-hour urine measurements and this difference was statistically significant. 24-hour urine measurements are the preferred method for assessing salt intake because they generally give more accurate results. Spot urine measurements can generally be used for shorter-term assessments, but should be interpreted carefully to increase the accuracy of the results. The mean creatinine excretion in spot and 24-hour urine was 15.8±3.03 mmol/L and 20.9±4.15 mmol/L in men and 18.4±2.85 mmol/L and 20.9±3.19 mmol/L in women, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in 24-hour urine volume between males (1309.4±181.78 mL/day) and females (1282.0±134.18 mL/day) (p>0.05). BTS-Salt mean sodium and table salt amounts were 1637.15±351.59 mg, 4.9±2.23 g and 1615.2±144.57 mg, 9.2±3.44 g, respectively. In the second stage of the study, demographic characteristics, physical activity status, dietary habits, 24-hour food consumption records were taken for 3 days (consecutive days), BTS-Salt questionnaire was applied and anthropometric measurements were taken. The mean daily BTS-Salt and food consumption records revealed that the mean sodium and table salt consumption of the individuals were 1502.6±334.59 mg, 13.9±2.65 g, 1670.6±256.48 mg and 11.2±2.34 g, respectively. There was a negative correlation of r= 0.239 between BTS-Salt mean sodium value and food consumption and mean total table salt. In conclusion, it was found that urinary salt excretion, BTS-Salt mean sodium and table salt intake, three-day food consumption record mean sodium and table salt intake and spot and 24-hour urinary sodium excretion were compatible. Spot urinary sodium excretion can be used as a substitute for 24-hour urinary sodium excretion.The salt-optimised food consumption frequency questionnaire was also found to be valid and applicable for the assessment of dietary habits. This questionnaire is a tool used to assess individuals' salt intake and general dietary habits. Optimising salt intake is important for healthy eating and health management. Keywords: salt consumption, sodium intake, food consumption frequency, urinary sodium excretion, urinary creatinine excretion