Sodium Intake Among U.S. Adults — 26 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 2013

Excess sodium intake is a major risk factor for hypertension, and subsequently, heart disease and stroke, the first and fifth leading causes of U.S. deaths, respectively. During 2011-2012, the average daily sodium intake among U.S. adults was estimated to be 3,592 mg, above the Healthy People 2020 target of 2,300 mg. To support strategies to reduce dietary sodium intake, 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from states and territories that implemented the new sodium-related behavior module were assessed. Across 26 states, the District of Columbia (DC), and Puerto Rico, 39%-73% of adults reported taking action (i.e., watching or reducing sodium intake) (median = 51%), and 14%-41% reported receiving advice from a health professional to reduce sodium intake (median = 22%). Compared with adults without hypertension, a higher percentage of adults with self-reported hypertension reported taking action and receiving advice to reduce sodium intake. For states that implemented the module, these results can serve as a baseline to monitor the effects of programs designed to reduce sodium intake.