New figures released by the Australian Division of World Action on Salt and Health (AWASH) has highlighted the dangerously high consumption of salt by teenage boys.
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The AWASH report released figures from the 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey showing teenage children aged 14-16 are eating more than twice the recommended daily intake for salt each day. The study also revealed that kids' take-away meals such as pizzas, burgers and sausages contain more than half the suggested dietary salt target for adults.
"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," commented Jacqui Webster, AWASH Project Manager. "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."
High salt intake is one of the main causes of elevated blood pressure in Australia and the disease is the biggest cause of premature death and disability throughout the world. The report found boys and girls of all ages were consuming salt far in excess of the recommended daily intake.
Professor Caryl Nowson from the Australian Division of World Action on Salt and Health (AWASH) called on the Government to enforce laws to avert serious health problems.
"It is well established that the problems caused by salt start in childhood," said Professor Nowson. "What wasn’t appreciated until now, is just how much salt Australian children are eating."
"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," she said.
The Australian Division of World Action on Salt and Health launched a campaign in May of 2007 to increase awareness related to the over consumption of salt and to reduce population intakes to six grams per day. The organisation is also calling on the food industry to lower salt in its products and to clearly label foods.
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