Kids in the United States eat too much salt -- about as much salt as American adults, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Researchers found that those ages 8 to 18 consume about 1,000 milligrams over the amount of salt they should. That is equal to one "Big Mac" from McDonald's.

In a study of 6,200 kids in that age group, 15 percent of them had either high or slightly elevated blood pressure because of higher salt intake.

Those who ate the most salt faced double the risk of having higher blood pressure, compared with those who ate less salty foods. Among overweight or obese kids, the risk was more than triple.

Health professionals say children and adults should consume no more than one teaspoon of salt a day, 2,300 milligrams.

The kids in the CDC study study ate an average of 3,300 milligrams daily.