Abstract
The World Health Organization promotes salt iodisation to control iodine deficiency. In Portugal, the use of iodised salt in school canteens has been mandatory since 2013. The present study aimed to evaluate iodine status in school-aged children (6–12 years) and to monitor the use of iodised salt in school canteens. A total of 2018 participants were randomly selected to participate in a cross-sectional survey in northern Portugal. Children’s urine and salt samples from households and school canteens were collected. A lifestyle questionnaire was completed by parents to assess children’s eating frequency of iodine food sources. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The median UIC was 129 µg/L which indicates the adequacy of iodine status and 32% of the children had UIC < 100 µg/L. No school canteen implemented the iodised salt policy and only 2% of the households were using iodised salt. Lower consumption of milk, but not fish, was associated with a higher risk of iodine deficiency. Estimation of sodium intake from spot urine samples could be an opportunity for adequate monitoring of population means. Implementation of iodine deficiency control policies should include a monitoring program aligned with the commitment of reducing the population salt intake.
Highlights
Iodine is a key micronutrient for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which are essential for healthy growth, for normal neurological development [1]
A total of 2018 schoolchildren aged 6–12 years old were recruited from 83 elementary and middle schools to participate in the survey (Figure 1)
The present study evaluated the iodine status of school-aged children in the north of Portugal
Summary
Iodine is a key micronutrient for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which are essential for healthy growth, for normal neurological development [1]. Chronic inadequate iodine consumption at an early age may have long term implications in a number of cognitive outcomes including reduced intelligence quotient [2,3,4]. The elimination of iodine deficiency among vulnerable populations including school-aged children and pregnant women is regarded as a major public health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes salt iodisation at a global level as a cost-effective and safe strategy to control iodine deficiency. Across Europe, strategies to control and monitor iodine deficiency are limited to a number of countries. Concerns related to the potential adverse consequences of iodine fortification, such as mandatory salt iodisation programs, may delay the implementation of those strategies. The risks of iodine excess are generally considered to be low and are far outweighed by the substantial risks of iodine deficiency [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
