Evaluación de la sensibilidad a la sal y patrones de consumo de alimentos con un contenido mayor a 100 mg de sodio, en niños de 7 a 12 años de edad en las zonas rurales del cantón Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity to salt, patterns of consumption of foods with a content greater than 100mg of sodium and daily sodium intake, in children between 7 and 12 years of age, in the rural areas of Cuenca, Ecuador. Methodology: A quantitative-observational type study, which is part of a case -control research project entitled “Evaluation of salt intake and its relationship with moderate and severe dental fluorosis in schoolchildren aged 7 to 12 years in rural parishes of the city of Cuenca ”, the data collection was from December 2019 to March 2020 and was carried out by applying the guideline of comparison of thresholds of perception and recognition of taste, the questionnaire of frequency of consumption and 24 -hour reminders in different days Results: The results of the salt detection and recognition thresholds test reflect 58% of the population detects a different taste to water in dilution 2 (0.02 mol / L) and 48% of the participants recognizes the salty taste in the same dilution. Regarding the results of the CFC, the mote and the sausage fried in oil were found as the most consumed foods and that contributed the most sodium in the diet of the participants. Regarding the average daily sodium consumption, there is evidence of an intake of 1,620 g sodium / day in the population. Conclusions: It is important to reduce sodium consumption due to the diseases to which it has been related, since a study at an early age is essential for the implementation of prevention or treatment measures for these diseases. The information obtained from this research will serve as a reference for future research in which the number of participants is expanded and other methodologies are used.