Mixed
Higher salt intake is associated with an increased risk of obesity and higher body fat mass independent of total energy intake in both children and adults.
If you are trying to manage your weight, reducing salt intake may help, even if you are already controlling your total calories. High salt intake is linked to higher body fat and obesity risk independently of how much you eat. Focus on reducing processed foods high in sodium, as this may lower obesity risk through mechanisms other than just reducing calories.
These results suggest that salt intake is a potential risk factor for obesity independent of energy intake.
Why this rating
The study uses a robust national sample and 24-hour urinary sodium (gold standard for salt intake), but it is cross-sectional, preventing causal inference.
Source
High Salt Intake
Yuan Ma et al. · Hypertension · 2015
DOI 10.1161/hypertensionaha.115.05948
Related findings · Mixed
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