Low-Salt Dietary Practices of Hypertensive Older People in Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: In Southeast Asia (SEA), the incidence of hypertension is the third highest in the world, including among older people. The Joint National Committee VIII (JNC VIII) recommends managing hypertension by lifestyle modifications, including adopting a low salt diet. Objective: This scoping review was conducted to summarize information on low-salt diet practices in SEA. Methods: This scoping review was conducted using the scoping review methodological framework, which consists of five steps in the review process. A focused search of relevant literature was conducted across several databases, published in English and Indonesian from 2013 to 2023. Results: A total of 31 studies were reviewed. Most of the studies in this research, specifically 17, found that the low-salt diet practice involved reducing or regulating the amount of salt used in cooking. Challenges and opportunities related to low-salt dietary practices were identified and categorized into four factors: individual, environmental, social, and spiritual. Conclusion: Hypertensive older people in SEA still demonstrate poor adherence to a low-salt diet. More research is needed to determine effective interventions that can improve compliance with a low-salt diet among hypertensive older adults in SEA. Such interventions should take cultural aspects into account and involve families in implementing the practice.

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