Table 2

Association between socioeconomic status (SES) and dietary sodium intake (390 mg/day) (1 g/day salt) in Australian children and adolescents aged 2–16 years (n = 4 487)*†

VariableTotal sample (n=4 487)Age group‡
4–8 years (n=1 216)9–13 years (n=1 110)
β (95% CI)p Valueβ (95% CI)p Valueβ (95% CI)p Value
Unadjusted
High SES (reference)
 Medium SES0.3 (0.03 to 0.5)0.030.2 (−0.1 to 0.6)0.170.2 (−0.2 to 0.6)0.319
 Low SES0.5 (0.3 to 0.8)<0.0010.5 (0.1 to 1.0)0.020.5 (−0.02 to 1.0)0.06
R2=0.004<0.01R2=0.0080.05R2=0.0040.16
Adjusted§
High SES (reference)
 Medium SES0.2 (0.01 to 0.4)0.040.2 (−0.1 to 0.4)0.130.2 (−0.2 to 0.6)0.23
 Low SES0.5 (0.2 to 0.7)<0.0010.6 (0.2 to 0.9)0.0010.6 (0.1 to 1.0)0.01
R2=0.49<0.001R2=0.37<0.001R2=0.36<0.001
  • *Dependent variable is sodium intake in units of 390 mg/day (salt equivalent 1 g/day) and independent variable is SES entered as an indicator variable: high SES is the reference category.

  • †SES as defined by the highest level of education attained by the primary carer.

  • ‡No association between salt intake and SES in age groups 2–3 and 14–16 years (models not shown).

  • §Adjusted for gender, age, energy intake and body mass index.