The bar chart illustrates the average daily salt intake among males and females in the United States in 2000, measured in milligrams. It also indicates the recommended salt consumption level of 2,500 milligrams per day.
Overall, it is clear that men consumed considerably more salt than women in all age groups, and both genders exceeded the recommended level except for females under six years old. Salt intake for both sexes generally increased with age until adulthood, before gradually declining among older people.
In detail, males aged 20-39 had the highest salt consumption, averaging about 4,500 milligrams per day, followed closely by those aged 12-19, at 4,300 milligrams. The figure then dropped to 4,000 milligrams for men aged 40-60 and 3,700 milligrams for those over 60. Among boys under six, salt intake was much lower, at only 2,200 milligrams.
A similar pattern can be seen among females, though the figures were consistently lower. Women aged 20-39 consumed around 3,100 milligrams, slightly more than those aged 12-19 and 6-11, both at 3,000 milligrams. Female salt intake then declined to 2,900 milligrams for the 40-60 group and exactly 2,500 milligrams for those over 60, matching the recommended amount. The lowest consumption was recorded in girls under six, at about 1,300 milligrams.