Salt intake and iodine status of women in Samoa / Mary-Anne Land, Jacqui L. Webster, Gary Ma, Mu Li, Sarah Asi Faletoese, Merina Ieremia, Satu Viali, Gavin Faeamani,Creswell J. Eastman

The objective of this study was to determine iodine nutrition status and whether iodine status differs across salt intake levels among a sample of women aged 18-45 years living in Samoa. A cross-sectional survey was completed and 24-hr urine samples were collected and assessed for iodine (n=152) and salt excretion (n=119). The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) among the women was 88 mug/L (Interquartile range (IQR)=54-121 mug/L). 62% of the women had a UIC <100 mug/L. The crude estimated mean 24-hr urinary salt excretion was 6.6 (standard deviation 3.2) g/day. More than two-thirds (66%) of the women exceeded the World Health Organization recommended maximum level of 5 g/day. No association was found between median UIC and salt excretion (81 mug/L iodine where urinary salt excretion >=5 g/day versus 76 mug/L where urinary salt excretion <5 g/day; p=0.4). Iodine nutrition appears to be insufficient in this population and may be indicative of iodine deficiency disorders in Samoan women. A collaborative approach in monitoring iodine status and salt intake will strengthen both programs and greatly inform the level of iodine fortification required to ensure optimal iodine intake as population salt reduction programs take effect.

Nutrition