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Diet and Health Study 2011

About this study

The Department of Health (DH) has commissioned the Diet and Health Study 2011 to monitor progress towards the recommended adult salt intake target of 6g per day. The study is being carried out in England and involves adults aged 19-64.      

Consumption of salt is related to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The best method for assessing salt intake is by measuring sodium levels in urine.

Fieldwork is being carried out in three monthly waves: NatCen's Telephone Unit are carrying out recruitment in August, September and October.  Nurse appointments will be carried out during September, October and November. In that time we aim to collect urine samples from 600 adults.

The study is being carried out by NatCen in collaboration with the Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research (HNR).

Project timeline

Potential policy impact

The data, and your participation, will help the Department of Health to monitor progress towards dietary targets, especially sodium (or salt) targets. The data will also help in the planning of future food policy.

Methods

Individuals will be contacted by NatCen's Telephone Unit and details of those agreeing to take part will be passed onto nurses.  The Telephone Unit will ask some questions and, if you agree to a nurse visit they will also ask you for your address. Your address is required so that we can match you to a nurse working in your area. The nurse will contact you separately to agree a suitable time to visit.

Participants will be asked to collect a urine sample. There will be two short visits to your household by a qualified nurse. During the first nurse visit, the nurse will explain what's involved and how to collect the urine sample. The nurse will collect the sample on the second visit and send them to the laboratory at HNR for analysis.

Researchers

 

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