Sodium and Potassium Intakes assessed by 24-h Urine among Moroccan University students in Casablanca, Morocco: Cross-Sectional Study

¹ Laboratory of Biology and Health, Research Unit: Human Nutrition, URAC 34, Faculty of sciences Ben Msik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco, Avenue CdtDriss El Harti, B.P 7955, SidiOthmane, Casablanca / 20660, Morocco.
² Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medecine, UM6SS, Morocco, BldmohammedTaiebNaciri, Commune Hay Hassani / 82 403, Anfa City, Casablanca, Morocco.
³ Faculty of Health and Social, Chester University, Chester, United Kingdom, Parkgate Road, Chester / CH1 4BJ, United Kingdom.

^* Corresponding author: afderoucihe@email.com

Abstract

In Morocco, the high consumption of dietary sodium increases the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and predisposes to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and hypertension. This study aims to assess the dietary sodium and potassium intake in a random sample of Moroccan adult students as a benchmark informing a national strategy for reducing salt intake. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 103 adults aged 18 to 25 years recruited in Casablanca. The 24-hour urinary excretion was used to measure the sodium and potassium. Creatinine excretion was used to validate the completeness of the urine collections. The average urinary sodium excretion was 3125.77 ± 121.99 mg/day, 13.5% consumed less than 5g/day, while 69% consumed more than 5 g/day of which 17.5% consumed more than twice the recommendations. For the average urinary potassium excretion was 1826.1 ± 61.2 mg/day, and more than 98% of the students consumed less than the adequate intake. The results of this pilot study show that the population studied has a high sodium intake and low potassium intake which does not meet World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, which requires implementing an action plan to reduce salt.