Did you know that according to the 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) of DOST-FNRI, only 28.1% are aware that iodized salt can prevent goiter and only 0.8% said that is good for pregnant women?

Goiter is defined as enlargement of the thyroid gland due to abnormal production of thyroid hormones. If the thyroid gland secretes excessive hormones, this may lead hyperthyroidism while insufficient hormones may cause hypothyroidism. Additionally, goiter is an indicator of chronic iodine deficiency and can be used as primary analysis for a population’s prevalence and severity of iodine deficiency disorders.

To give an overview on the iodine status in the Philippines based on 2019 ENNS results, the following has been concluded:

• Median Urinary Iodine Concentration (UIC) and Percent Urinary Intake (UI) level of <50 μg/L demonstrated optimum iodine status among school-aged children and women of reproductive age (non-pregnant and non-lactating).
• Elderly and lactating mothers residing in rural areas showed presence of iodine deficiency among those in poorest to poor wealth quintile.
• Pregnant mothers living in both rural and urban areas manifested presence of iodine deficiency, regardless of wealth quintile.
• Seven out of 10 (67.3%) Filipino households were aware of iodized salt.
• Only 36% of the households were using iodized salt (> 15 ppm), with greater rate in urban areas and those in richest wealth quintile.

Iodine is a mineral that plays a vital role in normal growth and development, regulation of metabolism, and conversion of energy from food to help cell be functional. It is one of the crucial nutrients for pregnant mothers and infants as it aids in preventing miscarriage, stunting, stillbirth, growth retardation and compromised cognitive skills.

The Department of Health highly encourages all Health Care Professionals to virtually join the 3-day webinar series on 24-26 January, 12:00 NN. All interested participants may register for free through this link: https://bit.ly/3FoFQY0. Thus, to increase awareness on Thyroid Disorder Prevention and Management, the lay forum (Day 4) shall be open to the public on 27 January 2022, 12:00 NN – 1:30 PM. Registration can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3qlUjQk.

As we commemorate the Goiter Awareness Week this 24-30 January 2022 with the theme: “Leeg ay Tutukan, Goiter ay Iwasan” declared by Proclamation No. 1188, s. 2006, let us joint forces in enlightening the public that adequate consumption of iodine-rich foods such as iodized salt, seaweed, fish, shellfish, dairy products, eggs, beef liver, and chicken, can aid in eliminating goiter.

Written by: PNFP Nichole Kate S. Loyola

References:

Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute. (2019). 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey: Iodine Status of Selected Population Groups and Iodine Content of Household Salt in the Philippines. Retrieved from http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/uploads/2019%20ENNS%20Dietary%20Dissemination%20-%20IODINE.pdf

Healthy Pilipinas Facebook Post. Goiter Awareness Week 2020. Accessed from https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=238238268491091&set=a.164946492486936

Official Gazette. (2006). Proclamation No. 1188. Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2006/12/11/proclamation-no-1188-s-2006/

School of Public Health. (n.d.) The Nutrition Source: Iodine. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/iodine/

World Health Organization. (2014). Goitre as a determinant of the prevalence and severity of iodine deficiency disorders in populations. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-NMH-NHD-EPG-14.5