Sodium - Potassium Ratio in Daily Meal at Medical Students

Catovic, A.^1*, Pleho-Kapic, A.², Voljevica, A.³ & Custovic, A.⁴

¹Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
²Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
³Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
⁴Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dr. Catovic, A., Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Keywords: Average Intake; Recommendation; Diet Pattern

Abstract

Some diet patterns are connected with a higher risk of a chronic disease, at times due to changed ratio between some nutrients. The objective of this study was to determine the content of sodium and potassium contained within the meals of students of Faculty of Medicine over a period of three days. The cross-sectional study included sample of 44 students that were introduced in the CINDI dietary guide. Students were divided into two groups. First group, comprised of 20 students took part in the study during December 2015, and the other group of 24 students took part during April 2016. The data about students’ diet was collected in two ways - through FFQ and through dietary food recall. The average intake of sodium and potassium was estimated using Nutritional analysis computer program (Nutrics Professional Nutrition Analysis Software). Average estimated sodium intake was 2042.20±905.83mg for males and 1500.25±533.92mg for females. Average estimated potassium intake was 2828.60±623.30mg for males and 2244.38±580.54mg for females. Average Na/K ratio of 0.72 for males, and 0.76 for females. These results emphasize the importance of choosing healthy food to achieve adequate nutrient intake, as well as the importance of appropriate servings from chosen food.

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