Estimation of 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion among Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study from the China National Nutrition Survey

High-sodium intake is one of the most important risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, yet reliable national estimates of sodium intake in Chinese adults have not been reported. We estimated 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretion and population daily sodium and potassium intake of Chinese adults for the first time at a national level. A nationally representative cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect 24-h urine specimens from Chinese adults aged ≥18 y as part of the China National Nutrition Survey 2015. Finally, 10,114 participants (4932 males and 5182 females) with complete 24-h urine specimens were included in the analysis. Estimates of mean urinary electrolyte excretion and demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics were used with weighted coefficients that accounted for sample selection probabilities, poststratification weighting, and nonresponse rates. The estimation of overall weighted mean 24-h urinary sodium excretion was 4121 mg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3993, 4250), 4155 mg (95% CI: 3993, 4317) in males and 4081 mg (95% CI: 3953, 4209) in females (P for sex difference = 0.36). Overall mean 24-h urinary potassium excretion was 1534 mg (95% CI: 1492, 1577), 1468 mg (95% CI: 1424, 1513) in males and 1614 mg (95% CI: 1569–1660) in females (P for sex difference <0.001). Mean 24-h urinary sodium excretion was significantly higher in rural adults (4350 mg; 95% CI: 4217, 4483) than in urban residents (3909 mg; 95% CI: 3739, 4080; P < 0.001), and in northern residents (4388 mg; 95% CI: 4237, 4539) than in southern residents (3998 mg; 95% CI: 3832, 4163; P = 0.002). The first nationwide survey with 24-h urine collection confirmed that mean sodium intake in Chinese adults was more than twice the upper limit, whereas mean potassium intake was <60% of the lower limit, recommended by the World Health Organization. Urgent measures should be taken to reduce sodium intake and increase potassium intake in China.