New data published on 9 October by the Australian Division of World Action on Salt and Health (AWASH) explains the shocking salt intakes of Australian boys revealed in the 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. The AWASH report demonstrates just how easy it is for teenage boys to eat too much salt, with most take-away kids-meals, pizzas, burgers and sausages containing more than half the suggested dietary target for adults.

The long-awaited government’s Children’s Survey revealed that that 14-16 year old boys are eating more than twice the suggested dietary target for salt each day. Furthermore boys and girls of all age groups are consuming amounts of salt far in excess of the government’s recommended daily upper limits. Meanwhile less than 6 per cent of boys in any age group eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables.

AWASH says the food industry must be held to account to reduce salt levels in foods and that government should fund an awareness campaign to encourage children to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables and less processed foods.

High salt intakes are one of the main causes of high blood pressure in Australia and high blood pressure is the biggest single cause of premature death and disability in the world.  ‘It is well established that the problems caused by salt start in childhood’ said Professor Nowson, representing the Australian Division of World Action on Salt and Health (AWASH).  ‘What wasn’t appreciated until now, is just how much salt Australian children are eating’. She continued, ‘Without immediate action we are condemning the next generation to serious health problems that could be easily averted. The government must take leadership on this. The status quo is simply not an option’.

The government has highlighted a number of preventative strategies targeting children’s’ health, most notably obesity prevention.  These latest data suggest that salt reduction should feature much more prominently. 

Jacqui Webster, AWASH Project Manager says: “It’s hardly surprising that teenage boys are eating so much salt because salt levels in the types of foods they like to eat are so high. Bread, processed meat products and take away foods are the main culprits. One sausage sandwich can contain over the recommended daily maximum amount. Many pizzas contain more than twice the suggested daily target.”

“There is simply no reason for many foods to be so salty”, she continued. “The government needs to call the food industry to account by establishing clear targets for salt levels in foods and funding a comprehensive campaign to highlight the benefits of reducing salt intakes including by eating more fruit and vegetables and less processed foods”.

The Australian Division of World Action on Salt and Health launched the ‘Drop the Salt!’ Campaign in May 2007 to reduce population salt intakes to less than 6 grams per day, over five years.  The three main objectives are working with the food industry to reduce salt in processed foods, raising consumer awareness and implementing clear labelling to highlight the salt content of foods.