The National Nutrition Council Caraga is one of the many agencies and entities that joins with the country in celebrating Goiter Awareness Week or GAW which is annually observed on the fourth week of January.  

The celebration is in adherence to Presidential Proclamation No. 1188 signed on 11 December 2016 by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo which aimed to raise public awareness of the prevention and control of goiter and other Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD).

In the study conducted by the Philippine Thyroid Diseases (PhilTiDes-1) in 2012, thyroid function abnormalities among the adult population had a prevalence rate of 8.53% and among these, goiter was identified as the most common thyroid disorder.

The physical manifestation of goiter includes an appearance of a mass in the neck caused by abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. Signs and symptoms are varied and may include hoarseness of voice, dryness of skin and hair, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, and menstrual irregularities for women. Many conditions can cause this disease, but the most common cause of goiter worldwide is iodine deficiency.

Iodine deficiency disorders or IDDs is a collective term of all the ill effects of iodine deficiency. Some of the most critical disorders induced by iodine deficiency include brain damage and irreversible mental retardation such as cretinism and preventable intellectual impairment.

On the other hand, there have been strategies made to combat iodine deficiency in the Philippines such as the implementation and monitoring of Republic Act No. 8172 or “An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide” which seeks to contribute to the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders through cost-effective preventive measures of salt iodization.

Another strategy is the promotion of the 10 Kumainments, specifically Kumainment No. 7, which encourages Filipino households to use adequately iodized salt to prevent iodine deficiency disorders.

Aside from iodized salt – the cheapest source of iodine, other iodine-rich foods include seafood such as seaweed, squid, lobster, tuna, shrimps, and shellfish and dairy products like milk, eggs, cheese, and yogurt.

While the use of iodized salt is encouraged, WHO also reminds the public to limit daily salt intake to less than 5 grams, which is equal to 1 teaspoon of iodized salt, to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Therefore, having a well-balanced diet combined with appropriate physical activity is important to decrease the risk of any diseases such as goiter and other IDDs. #DMOIIMPRayco