Effect of nutrition education in reducing sodium intake and increasing potassium intake in hypertensive adults

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of deaths in Korea. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a nutrition education in reducing sodium intake and increasing potassium intake in hypertensive adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects who participated in this study were 88 adults (28 males and 60 females) who were pre-hypertension or untreated hypertensive patients aged ≥ 30 yrs in Gyeonggi Province, Korea. These subjects were divided into 2 groups: a low-sodium education (LS) group and a low-sodium high-potassium education (LSHP) group. Nutrition education of 3 sessions for 12 weeks was conducted. Blood pressure, blood and urine components, nutrient intake, and dietary behavior were compared between the two education groups. RESULT: Blood pressure was decreased in both groups after the nutrition education (P < 0.05). In the LSHP group, levels of blood glucose (P < 0.05), total cholesterol (P < 0.01), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P < 0.05) were decreased after the program completion. Sodium intake was decreased in both groups after the nutrition education (P < 0.05). However, Na/K ratio was only decreased in the LS group (P < 0.05). Intake frequency of fish & shellfish was only significantly reduced in the LS group (P < 0.05), while intake frequencies of cooked rice, noodles & dumplings, breads & snacks, stew, kimchi, and fish & shellfish were reduced in the LSHP group (P < 0.05). Total score of dietary behavior appeared to be effectively decreased in both groups after the education program (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This education for reducing sodium intake was effective in reducing blood pressure and sodium intake. The education for enhancing potassium intake resulted in positive changes in blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels.