Abstract
Objective
Test a dietary sodium survey in a US adult population of college students using a
survey previously validated in a non-US adult population.
Methods
Cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of college students from a Midwest (n = 168)
and Pacific Island (n = 152) university. Main outcome measures were knowledge, attitudes,
and practices regarding dietary sodium (38 items). Sum scores and percentages for
constructs were calculated. A score <75% was considered unfavorable; t test or ANOVA were used to examine group differences.
Results
Midwest students were primarily non-Hispanic White individuals (81%) and 65% female.
Pacific Island students were predominantly Asian (51%) and 66% female. Mean ± SD construct
scores (percentage) for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 58.69 ± 10.62, 63.96
± 16.18, 66.00 ± 12.34 (Midwest) and 57.54 ± 10.93, 64.84 ± 14.96, 64.94 ± 13.18 (Pacific
Island), respectively; there were no significant differences between schools or race.
Conclusions and Implications
College students scored low in knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sodium.
Results from this formative study may inform assessment strategies in future dietary
sodium interventions.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
September 10,
2020
Footnotes
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The authors have not stated any conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
