More than two-thirds of dietary iodine in children in northern Ghana is obtained from bouillon cubes containing iodized salt

Abizari, Abdul‐Razak; Dold, Susanne; Kupka, Roland; Zimmermann, Michael

doi:10.1017/s1368980016003098

Cited by 28 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…However, micronutrient content variations between manufacturers' values and analyzed values are not always adverse. For instance, there were no adverse variations in the iodine content of different brands of bouillon cubes in Ghanaian markets between manufacturer values and analyzed values [43]. Moreover, manufacturer nutrient information could be used to build food composition databases [44], suggesting that they could be relied upon for nutrient assessment of foods.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of commercial infant cereals as complementary food in infants and young children in Ghana

et al. 2017

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Background: Typical complementary foods in developing countries are often inadequate in multiple micronutrients. One way of preventing micronutrient deficiency among infants and young children (IYC) is to feed them a variety of nutrient dense foods. The use of commercial infant cereals (CIC) as complementary food is increasing in Ghana. However, it is unknown whether giving CIC may discourage inclusion of other locally available and nutritious foods as mothers may hold the notion that CIC is superior. This study therefore examined the use of CIC as complementary food, the micronutrient intake from CIC and reasons for its use. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving mothers with IYC aged 6-23 months who give CIC as complementary food. Questionnaires were administered to estimate the usual daily frequencies and quantities of CIC. Micronutrient intakes from CIC were calculated. We also calculated the proportion of the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) contributed by micronutrients from CIC. Results: Of the 384 children sampled, 64.6% were aged 13-23 months and 50.3% were females. More than half of the mothers earned income through trading (55.2%) and nearly one quarter of them had senior high school education (24. 7%). Majority of the children consumed 3-4 tablespoons (52.3%) of CIC in a feeding moment. Younger children (6-12 months) were served CIC more frequent than older children (13-23 months). The mean ± SD of micronutrients from CIC were 6.76 ± 2.67 mg, 4.79 ± 1.70 mg, 384.12 ± 139.69 mg, 266.70 ± 100.74 mg and 69.11 ± 24.65 μg for the minerals Fe, Zn, Ca, P and I respectively. The vitamin intakes were: 337.17 ± 119.70 μg, 42.88 ± 15.28 mg, 0.84 ± 0.31 μg, 34.24 ± 12.22 μg and 2.70 ± 1.03 mg for vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B12, folic acid and niacin respectively. Micronutrients from CIC consumption contributed to at least 70% of the RNIs for Fe, Zn, Ca, I, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B12. Mothers believed that CIC alone could meet the nutritional needs of children and ensure optimal growth and health. Conclusion:The results of present study show that use of CIC as complementary food was high among mothers with IYC 6-12 months. Mothers believed that CIC was nutritionally adequate for their children and did not see the need to include or enrich other locally available complementary foods. Mothers should be educated on the need to include other foods with CIC to increase the dietary quality of IYC.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of commercial infant cereals as complementary food in infants and young children in Ghana

et al. 2017

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“…For instance, households in rural northern Ghana commonly consumed bouillon cubes. The estimated median per capita iodine intake from bouillon cubes was 88.3 (50.9–110.4) μg/day …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The available empirical evidence, however, suggests mixed outcomes concerning iodized salt awareness and use. In the Volta Region, two‐thirds of traders interviewed reported knowledge of the importance of consuming iodized salt and 75% of households consumed iodized salt . However, in the Northern Region, only 20% of households reported iodized salt use.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risks of excess iodine intake in Ghana: current situation, challenges, and lessons for the future

Abu

Oldewage‐Theron

Aryeetey

2018

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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In Ghana, iodine deficiency was first reported in 1994 among 33% of the population. A nationwide Universal Salt Iodization (USI) program plus other complementary interventions were subsequently implemented as a response. Our paper reviews the current risks of excess iodine status in Ghana and identifies policy and research gaps. A mixed methods review of 12 policies and institutional reports and 13 peer‐reviewed articles was complemented with consultations with 23 key informants (salt producers and distributors, food processors, regulatory agency officials, and healthcare providers) purposively sampled between May and August 2017. The findings show a strong policy environment indicated by regulations on food and salt fortification (Act 851), including the USI regulation. However, currently, only a third of Ghanaian households use adequately iodized salt. Recent evidence shows that voluntarily fortified processed foods (including condiments) supply a considerable amount of iodine to the food system. Limited biological impact data suggest possible household exposure to excessive dietary iodine (>15 parts per million). Currently, there is no systematic tracking of iodine content from fortified foods and other sources. Cross‐sectoral actions are needed to understand this situation better. Key research gap is the lack of comprehensive data on iodine content and intake from other sources in Ghana.

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“…A review to assess the risk of excessive iodine intake among Ghanaians and to identify policy and program implementation using mixed methods was developed to include a systematic literature review, validated questionnaires and conversations with key stakeholders, such as teaching hospitals, and source biological data. Results show that Ghana has a strong policy environment and there are ongoing interventions providing iodine or iodized salt at the national and subgroup level, including national mandatory salt iodization, voluntary fortification programs, and targeted interventions …”

Section: Technical Consultationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk of excessive intake of vitamins and minerals delivered through public health interventions: objectives, results, conclusions of the meeting, and the way forward

Garcı́a-Casal

Mowson

Rogers

et al. 2018

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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The excessive consumption of certain vitamins and minerals could have deleterious consequences on health and development of individuals and populations. Simultaneous micronutrient‐delivery interventions could be challenging in terms of safety as the target populations may overlap, posing a risk of excessive intake of certain micronutrients. The Evidence and Programme Guidance Unit of the Department of Nutrition for Health and Development of the World Health Organization convened a technical consultation on the risk of excessive intake of vitamins and minerals delivered through public health interventions in October 2017. The technical consultation's working groups identified important and emerging technical issues, lessons learned, and research priorities related to (1) planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating nutrition programs for the detection and control of the risk of excessive intakes; (2) safety, quality control, and assurance considerations; (3) coordination between public health nutrition interventions and other interventions and sectors; and (4) the legislative framework and policy coherence needed for simultaneous nutrition interventions. This paper provides the background and rationale of the technical consultation, synopsizes the presentations, and provides a summary of the main considerations proposed by the working groups.

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More than two-thirds of dietary iodine in children in northern Ghana is obtained from bouillon cubes containing iodized salt

Abstract: 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.

Cited by 28 publications

References 13 publications

Use of commercial infant cereals as complementary food in infants and young children in Ghana

Use of commercial infant cereals as complementary food in infants and young children in Ghana

Risks of excess iodine intake in Ghana: current situation, challenges, and lessons for the future

Risk of excessive intake of vitamins and minerals delivered through public health interventions: objectives, results, conclusions of the meeting, and the way forward

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