Associations of sodium and potassium with obesity measures among diverse US Hispanic/Latino adults: Results from HCHS/SOL

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cross-sectional associations of sodium and potassium with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and body fat and determine whether nativity/duration of US residence modified these associations. METHODS: Sodium and potassium were derived from 24-hour diet recalls from 16,156 US participants of the 2008–2011 Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) and from 24-hour urine in 447 HCHS/SOL participants. BMI, WC, and body fat were measured. RESULTS: 500 mg/day higher dietary sodium was cross-sectionally associated with 0.07 kg/m(2) higher BMI (p<0.05) and 0.18 cm larger WC (p=0.04). 500 mg/day higher dietary potassium was only associated with lower BMI and smaller WC among those foreign-born with 10+ years in the US (−0.13 kg/m(2), p<0.01; and −0.36cm, p=0.01, respectively) and among the US born (−0.62 kg/m(2), p<0.01 and −1.42 cm, p<0.01, respectively). 500 mg/day higher urinary sodium was associated with 0.27 kg/m(2) higher BMI (p<0.01) and 0.54 kg more body fat (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Sodium intake was associated with higher BMI, WC, and body fat. Potassium intake, was associated with lower BMI and smaller WC among US-born and participants with longer duration of US residence.