Sara Watutantrige-Fernando1, Susi Barollo1, Loris Bertazza1, Elisabetta Cavedon1, Simona Censi1, Jacopo Manso1, Federica Vianello2, Caterina Mian3. 1. Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy. 2. Radiotherapy Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy. 3. Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy. Electronic address: Caterina.mian@unipd.it.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: An educational program was conducted among school-aged children to improve their knowledge about iodine prophylaxis, their iodine status, and their dietary habits. METHODS: At the baseline (T0) and after 6 mo (T1), participants (970 at T0 and 949 at T1) answered questionnaires testing their knowledge about iodine prophylaxis and their eating habits. Urine samples were collected from a randomly selected subgroup of participants (313 at T0 and 312 at T1). RESULTS: From T0 to T1 there was a significant improvement in respondents' knowledge about iodine prophylaxis (from 44% to 70%), iodized salt consumption (from 78% to 84%), and median urine iodine concentrations (from 70 µg/L to 91 µg/L). Milk and iodized salt intakes were associated with a better iodine status per se, and more so when used simultaneously. Girls drank milk less often than boys did (daily in 52% and 59% of cases, respectively). Children of foreign origin ate sodium-rich food more often than Italians did. CONCLUSION: Educational intervention improved the children's knowledge about iodine prophylaxis and use of iodized salt. Consuming salt in addition to milk improves iodine status. Children of foreign origin have different eating habits.
OBJECTIVE: An educational program was conducted among school-aged children to improve their knowledge about iodine prophylaxis, their iodine status, and their dietary habits. METHODS: At the baseline (T0) and after 6 mo (T1), participants (970 at T0 and 949 at T1) answered questionnaires testing their knowledge about iodine prophylaxis and their eating habits. Urine samples were collected from a randomly selected subgroup of participants (313 at T0 and 312 at T1). RESULTS: From T0 to T1 there was a significant improvement in respondents' knowledge about iodine prophylaxis (from 44% to 70%), iodized salt consumption (from 78% to 84%), and median urine iodine concentrations (from 70 µg/L to 91 µg/L). Milk and iodized salt intakes were associated with a better iodine status per se, and more so when used simultaneously. Girls drank milk less often than boys did (daily in 52% and 59% of cases, respectively). Children of foreign origin ate sodium-rich food more often than Italians did. CONCLUSION: Educational intervention improved the children's knowledge about iodine prophylaxis and use of iodized salt. Consuming salt in addition to milk improves iodine status. Children of foreign origin have different eating habits.
Authors: F Nista; M Bagnasco; F Gatto; M Albertelli; L Vera; M Boschetti; N Musso; D Ferone Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2022-01-25 Impact factor: 4.256