EVALUATION OF SODIUM EXCRETION AND DIETARY INTAKE VIA A NEW SODIUM FOOD FREQUENCY QUESTIONNAIRE

DETERMINATION OF URINARY SODIUM EXCRETION AND DIETARY SODIUM INTAKE IN ADULTS BY DEVELOPING A FOOD FREQUENCY QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ADDED-SALT FOODS Dear Participant, A doctoral thesis study titled "Determination of Urinary Sodium Excretion and Dietary Sodium Intake in Adults by Developing a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Added-Salt Foods" is being conducted by Ayşe Gökçe Alp, a PhD student in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Hasan Kalyoncu University. The valuable contributions of participants are expected, and participation in the study is requested. No fee will be requested from participants for participation in this study, and no payment will be made to participants. The investigators thank participants in advance for their cooperation. The questionnaire has been designed to determine participants' general information (such as age, occupation, and marital status), nutritional habits (such as number of meals and meal-skipping status), food consumption status, food preferences, and lifestyle (such as physical activity level). In addition, height, body weight, and various circumference measurements (waist, hip, neck) will be taken by the researcher. Within the scope of the study, 24-hour and spot (one-time) urine samples will be collected. For the 24-hour urine collection process, after the first morning urine is discarded, all urine produced during the day - starting with the second urination and including the first urination of the following day - will be collected. The 24-hour urine collection will take place on the second day of the food consumption record period; after the first urine is discarded, all urine collected throughout the day will be delivered to the researcher on the third day. Urine samples must be stored in a dark, cool environment at home. The spot urine sample will be collected on the third day, at the same time as the food consumption records and anthropometric measurements are taken. The responses provided by participants will be kept strictly confidential, will be used solely for scientific purposes, and will not be used outside the scope of this research.

Inclusion Criteria: * Absence of any physician-diagnosed chronic conditions. * Not being on any pharmacological treatment. * Maintaining regular follow-ups at the designated Nutrition and Diet Counseling Centers. * Providing written informed consent for study participation. * Age range of 19-64 years. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of chronic medical conditions. * Inability to maintain regular follow-ups at the designated nutrition and diet counseling centers during the 3-month study period. * Being outside the 19-64 age range. * Current use of prescription drugs and/or nutritional supplements.