AMMAN —
Jordanians eat table salt at a rate of more than 10 grams per day, double the
internationally recommended limit by health organizations, revealed the study
carried out by the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network in cooperation
with the Ministry of Health, the
World Health Organization (WHO), and the
Ministry of Education, according to Khaberni.
اضافة اعلان
The project aimed
to promote reduction of salt intake, showed that these unhealthy behaviors are
a phenomenon that results in the emergence of chronic diseases such as stress,
exposure to heart and brain strokes, and other diseases.
Director of
EMPHNET, Mohammad Al-Nsour, said that salt consumption in Jordan is closely
related to high rates of cardiovascular diseases, which are among the most
prominent non-communicable diseases in recent times, and has become the leading
cause of death in the Eastern Mediterranean area. Nsour added that the majority
of the population in Jordan follow a high-sodium and low-potassium diet, and
often do not realize its impact on their health.
For his part, the
secretary-general of the Ministry of Health for Epidemiology and Communicable
Diseases Affairs,
Dr Raed Shboul, said that the national survey conducted in
2020 showed that 83 percent of Jordanians eat less than five servings of
vegetables and fruits per day, and this is much less than global nutritional
recommendations, stressing that this negatively affects the health of the
individual.
He added that the
study also showed that the average rate of high blood pressure among Jordanians
is more than 22 percent and that 47 percent of them do not take treatment,
while the results of this study came to show that 61 percent of Jordanians are
overweight, while the percentage of obesity is about 32 percent, pointing out
that these percentages are considered very high when compared to previous
years.
Shboul stressed
that the Ministry of Health is striving to promote and develop preventive
health programs, which are reflected in reducing rates of non-communicable
diseases and deaths, improving health services for citizens, and adding
strategies and programs.
Meanwhile, the
representative of the WHO in Jordan, Dr Jamila Al-Rabi, said that raising
societal awareness to reduce salt consumption is necessary, especially among
individuals involved in preparing food, whether at homes, restaurants, or
public facilities such as hospitals, schools and universities, as well as food
suppliers and manufacturers.
Read more National news
Jordan News
.jpg)
.jpg)
