Socio-demographic factors in relation to habitual sodium and potassium intakes among adults in Trinidad and Tobago

BACKGROUND

Approximately one-third of adults in Trinidad and Tobago have high blood pressure (hypertension). Excessive consumption of sodium (Na⁺) is a known risk factor for hypertension.

AIM

We investigated Na⁺ and potassium (K⁺) intakes and their correlates in a multi-ethnic Caribbean population.

METHOD

Volunteers completed a self-administered questionnaire comprising socio-demographic items, physical activity (PA) and a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Foods eaten were classified by level of processing using the NOVA classification system and analysed for Na⁺ and K⁺ levels using appropriate dietary analysis software. The study was approved by the University of the West Indies at Saint Augustine Ethics Committee.

RESULTS

11,783 adults participated in the study. Approximately 83.2% of total calories, 79% of Na⁺ and 40% of K⁺ was derived from the consumption of highly processed foods. Median daily Na⁺ and K⁺ intakes were 2759 mg and 2853 mg, respectively. Na⁺ intakes showed significant nonlinear increases with age (p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), and non-linear decreases with educational attainment (p < 0.001). K⁺ intakes showed significant nonlinear decreases with age (p < 0.001) and BMI (p < 0.001), and linear increases with educational attainment (p < 0.001). Males had higher intakes of Na⁺ and K⁺ than females. Na⁺: K⁺ was lower among persons participating in moderate to high intensity PA ≥ 150 minutes/week compared to those participating in such activities < 150 minutes/week.

CONCLUSION

Socio-demographic factors were significantly correlated with Na⁺ and K⁺ intakes among participants and must be considered in strategies aimed at achieving healthy intakes of these nutrients.

Marketing messages accompanying online selling of low/er and regular strength wine and beer products in the UK: a content analysis

Background

Increased availability of low/er strength alcohol products has the potential to reduce alcohol consumption if they are marketed as substitutes for higher strength products rather than as additional products. The current study compares the main marketing messages conveyed by retailers and producers for low/er and regular strength wine and beer products.

Methods

A content analysis of the marketing messages stated (in text) or depicted (in image) for low/er and regular strength wines and beers sold online on the websites of the four main UK retailers (Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons), and the producers of these products between February–March 2016.

Results

Four themes were identified: (a) suggested occasions for consumption, (b) health-related associations, (c) alcohol content, and (d) taste. Compared with regular strength products, low/er strength equivalents were more often marketed in association with occasions deemed to be suitable for their consumption including lunchtimes [wine: X²(1, n = 172) = 11.75, p = .001], outdoor events/barbeques [beer: X²(1, n = 96) = 11.16, p = .001] and on sport/fitness occasions [beer: X²(1, n = 96) = 7.55, p = .006]. Compared with regular strength wines and beers, low/er strength equivalents were more frequently marketed with images or text associated with health. These included images of fruit [wine: X²(1, n = 172) = 7.78, p = .005; beer: X²(1, n = 96) = 22.00, p < .001] and the provision of their energy (calorie) content [wine: X²(1, n = 172) = 47.97, p < .001; beer: X²(1, n = 96) = 15.10, p < .001]. Low/er strength products were also more often marketed with information about their alcohol content. There were few differences in the marketing messages regarding taste.

Conclusions

Low/er strength wines and beers appear to be marketed not as substitutes for higher strength products but as ones that can be consumed on additional occasions with an added implication of healthiness.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-5040-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Food references in UK children's magazines - an oral health perspective

OBJECTIVE

Children's magazines are popular in the United Kingdom, but their content is poorly regulated. Consequently, food and beverages high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), detrimental to oral and wider health, make unrestricted appearances. The study aim was to assess the amount of HFSS food and drink children are exposed to while reading magazines; with particular focus on foods containing free sugars due to their known cariogenic properties, and foods with low pH due to their erosive potential.

DESIGN

Eleven of the most popular UK children's magazines were selected and purchased at four separate time points in 2012. These 44 magazines were examined using content analysis; any references to food/beverages (in advertisements, free gifts, editorial and general content) were recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 508 food references observed, 73.6% (374/508) were for foods detrimental to oral health owing to their high sugar and/or acid content. 5.9% (30/508) were considered 'unhealthy' due to their fat or salt content. 20.5% of references were for 'healthy' foods (104/508). The most common food categories referenced were baked goods (181/508) and sweets (86/508). Over a third (36.4%, 16/44) of magazines came with free sweets. In terms of positioning, the food/drink references were predominantly found in the general content of the magazines, including the editorial spreads. Direct advertisements for food/drink only accounted for 9.6% (36/374) of the total number of references counted.

CONCLUSION

Food references within children's magazines are biased towards unhealthy foods especially those detrimental to oral health; these permeate throughout the general and editorial content and are not restricted to direct advertisements. Magazine editors, journalists and illustrators are responsible for the editorial and general content of magazines. Without regulation, subliminal placement of advertisements within editorial and general content leads to 'advertorials' which are known to confuse children and parents alike. This study concludes that regulation may therefore need to cover more than just the direct advertisements. Dental professionals need to be aware of current trends in children's media when giving health education advice or designing health promotion initiatives.