Consumption of High Sodium Foods, Salt and Fat and Its Association with Obesity and Blood Pressure

Urbanization has caused rapid changes in dietary pattern and physical activity. Due to urbanization, consumption of processed and street foods is increasing in India. Cardiovascular risk factors like obesity and hypertension are on rise. The objective of present study was to analyse the daily salt, fat intake, frequency of consumption of street foods and fried salted snacks in women (n=1500) belonging to low and lower middle income group in the city of Mumbai and to examine its effects on obesity and blood pressure. Our study reported positive correlation of salt, namkeens (fried salted snacks) and street food intake, with body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Also, fat intake was positively associated with BMI and BF%. Mean SBP (F=8.638, P=0.000) and DBP (F=7.134, P=0.000) were significantly different across the street food intake quartiles. Thus there is need to make healthier options available to consumers with combined efforts of food vendors and manufacturers.