Objective
The objective of this study was to evaluate cross‐sectional associations of sodium and potassium with BMI, waist circumference (WC), and body fat and to determine whether the nativity and/or duration of United States (US) residence modified these associations.
Methods
Sodium and potassium were derived from 24‐hour diet recalls from 16,156 US participants of the 2008 to 2011 Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) and from 24‐hour urine in 447 HCHS/SOL participants. BMI, WC, and body fat were measured.
Results
Dietary sodium that was 500 mg/d higher was cross‐sectionally associated with a 0.07‐kg/m2 higher BMI (P < 0.05) and a 0.18‐cm larger WC (P = 0.04). Dietary potassium that was 500 mg/d higher was only associated with lower BMI and smaller WC among those who were foreign‐born with 10 + years in the US (−0.13 kg/m2, P < 0.01 and −0.36 cm, P = 0.01, respectively) and among those who were US‐born (−0.62 kg/m2, P < 0.01 and −1.42 cm, P < 0.01, respectively). Urinary sodium that was 500 mg/d higher was associated with a 0.27‐kg/m2 higher BMI (P < 0.01) and 0.54 kg more body fat (P < 0.01).
Conclusions
Sodium intake was associated with higher BMI, WC, and body fat. Potassium intake was associated with lower BMI and smaller WC among US‐born participants and participants with a longer duration of US residence.