More than two-thirds of dietary iodine in children in northern Ghana is obtained from bouillon cubes containing iodized salt
Open access
Date
2017-04Type
- Journal Article
Abstract
Objective: Bouillon cubes are widely consumed by poor households in
sub-Saharan Africa. Because their main ingredient is salt, bouillon cubes could
be a good source of iodine if iodized salt is used in their production and if their
consumption by target groups is high. Our objective was to measure the iodine
content of bouillon cubes, estimate their daily intake in school-aged children and
evaluate their potential contribution to iodine intakes.
Design: In a cross-sectional study, we measured urinary iodine concentrations
(UIC) and estimated total daily iodine intakes. We administered a questionnaire on
usage of bouillon cubes. We measured the iodine content of bouillon cubes,
household salt, drinking-water and milk products.
Setting: Primary schools in northern Ghana.
Subjects: Schoolchildren aged 6–13 years.
Results: Among school-aged children (n 250), median (interquartile range) UIC
and estimated iodine intake were 242 (163–365) µg/l and 129 (85–221) µg/d,
indicating adequate iodine status. Median household salt iodine concentration
(n 100) was only 2·0 (0·83–7·4) µg/g; 72 % of samples contained <5 µg iodine/g.
Iodine concentrations in drinking-water and milk-based drinks were negligible.
Median iodine content of bouillon cubes was 31·8 (26·8–43·7) µg/g, with large
differences between brands. Estimated median per capita consumption of bouillon
cubes was 2·4 (1·5–3·3) g/d and median iodine intake from bouillon cubes was 88
(51–110) µg/d.
Conclusions: Despite low household coverage with iodized salt, iodine nutrition in
school-aged children is adequate and an estimated two-thirds of their dietary
iodine is obtained from bouillon cubes. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000123655Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Public Health NutritionVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Cambridge University PressSubject
Bouillon cubes; Iodine deficiency; Urinary iodine; Seasoning; SchoolchildrenOrganisational unit
03957 - Zimmermann, Michael Bruce (emeritus) / Zimmermann, Michael Bruce (emeritus)
Notes
It was possible to publish this article open access thanks to a Swiss National Licence with the publisher.More
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