Study Identifies High Sodium Intake as Major Contributor to Rising Obesity Rates

New Delhi: While sugary foods and beverages have long been blamed for the global obesity epidemic, new research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) suggests that high sodium intake may also play a significant role in rising obesity rates worldwide.

Conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the study analyzed data from more than 5,000 adults aged 18 and above, examining both their dietary sodium intake and urine sodium concentration in relation to their obesity status. Sodium is commonly consumed through processed and packaged foods such as chips, meats, bread, and especially dairy products like cheese.

Alarmingly, every participant in the study exceeded the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended sodium limit of 5 grams per day. The findings showed a strong association between excessive sodium intake and both overall and abdominal obesity, with women showing particularly significant correlations.

Participants in the highest quartile of sodium intake were found to be 4.3 times more likely to have general obesity and 3.4 times more likely to have abdominal obesity. Among men, the association was even more pronounced: those in the highest quartile of urine sodium concentration were six times more likely to be generally obese and 4.7 times more likely to have abdominal obesity.

Dr. Annika Santalahti, a lead researcher from the Finnish Institute, explained that men generally consume more food and sodium-rich products, which might account for the stronger associations seen in male participants. However, the study accounted for total energy intake, indicating that the relationship between sodium and obesity exists independent of calorie consumption.

“These results reinforce the link between sodium intake and obesity, showing consistent findings across both dietary and urinary sodium measures,” the study noted. The study emphasized the need for further research to understand the underlying biological mechanisms connecting sodium intake with fat accumulation and obesity.

Given that both obesity and high sodium levels are known risk factors for conditions like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, the study underscores the importance of public health strategies focused on reducing sodium consumption.