Public support for policies to reduce the sodium content in school cafeterias

INTRODUCTION: In 2005, mean sodium content in school lunches was 1442 mg, which is two-thirds the recommended limit (2300 mg/day) for most children and just below the limit for African-American children (1500 mg/day). Reducing the sodium content of school meals is one of the recommendations by the Institute of Medicine to reduce US sodium intake and is required by USDA's new meal standards. We assessed consumer support for policies lowering sodium content of school cafeteria foods. METHODS: Data were used from 9,634 adults aged >18 years who responded to questions about sodium in general and in school foods on a 2010 mail panel survey. Estimates were weighted to the US census population. RESULTS: Ninety percent (95% confidence interval (CI): 89%-91%) of respondents reported they strongly (52%, CI: 51%-54%) or slightly (38%, CI: 36%-39%) support “policies that lower the sodium/salt content of cafeteria foods in schools.” Regardless of age, sex, race-ethnicity, body mass index, or parental status, US adult support remained at or above 78%. The highest support (strongly or slightly) rate came from respondents who reported wanting to eat a diet low in sodium (95%, CI: 94%-96%) and non-Hispanic blacks (94%, CI: 92%-96%). DISCUSSION: Our results suggest most US adults support policies that lower sodium content in school cafeteria foods. While widespread support is promising, this does not always translate into action. Strategies for change include working with a diverse group of stakeholders to adopt strong nutrition standards for school foods and engaging students to become advocates for change.