Poor iodine status and knowledge related to iodine on the eve of mandatory iodine fortification in Australia.
BACKGROUND
Mandatory fortification of bread with iodised salt is proposed to address the re-emergence of iodine deficiency in Australia and New Zealand. The impacts of fortification require baseline data of iodine status among vulnerable sectors of the population.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the iodine status of healthy women and to investigate consumer understanding and attitudes related to the proposed mandatory iodine fortification programme.


METHODS
Cross-sectional sample of 78 non-pregnant women aged 20-55 y was conveniently sampled in Wollongong, NSW. A single 24-hr urine sample was collected for urinary iodine concentration (UIC). A self-administered questionnaire assessed consumer understanding, perceptions and attitudes related to iodine fortification.


RESULTS
Median UIC = 56 microg/L (IQR = 41-68), indicating mild iodine deficiency. Knowledge about iodine was poor with less than half associating low iodine status with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Health education and supplementation, particularly at the medical practitioner interface, was considered the best strategy for improving low iodine levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The iodine status of women in one region of New South Wales was low. These data add support to the need for a national approach to address iodine intake which includes an accompanying consumer education campaign.
Charlton
Karen E
KE
Smart Foods Centre, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. karenc@uow.edu.au
Yeatman
Heather R
HR
Houweling
Fiona
F
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001939:Bread / Q000032:analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D018673:Nutrition Policy / Q000639:trends; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010465:Perception; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D007455:Iodine