Sodium intake of special populations in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity Across the Life Span (HANDLS) study

• Participants of the HANDLS study did not meet the recommendations for dietary sodium intake.
• Participants of the HANDLS study did not meet the recommended intake of potassium in their daily diets.
• The study findings have implications for the population at large in the prevention and management of hypertension.

ObjectiveThe sodium intake of participants of the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study who were in three of the special population groups identified by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 (those with hypertension, African Americans, and those ≥ 51 years) was analyzed to determine if they met sodium recommendations.MethodsThe sample included 2152 African American and White subjects, aged 30–64 years. Major dietary sources of sodium for each group were determined from two 24-hour dietary recalls, and dietary intakes were compared with sodium recommendations. Dietary potassium was also evaluated.ResultsThe intakes of the groups studied exceeded 1500 mg of sodium while their potassium intakes were lower than the Adequate Intake of 4700 mg. The major contributors of sodium included “cold cuts, sausage, and franks,” “protein foods,” and yeast breads.ConclusionsExcessive sodium intake characterized the diet of an urban, socioeconomically diverse population who are hypertensive or at risk for having hypertension. These findings have implications for health professionals and the food industry.