Abstract

Author(s): Tamarit Encarnación, Alba1; Vallada Regalado, Eva2; Clérigues Bonet, Victoria3; Olaso González, Gloria4; Moreno Gálvez, Ángela5; Gandía Balaguer, Asunción6

Introduction: Iodine is an essential mineral for the normal function of the human organism. When iodized salt is not employed, the consumption- on most occasions - depends entirely on the foods chosen in the daily diet. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of iodized salt in households of children between 6 and 12 years of age.

Material and methods: By using a nutritional questionnaire completed by parents about their child’s eating habits, the corresponding information was obtained. In a total population of 312 children from various primary schools in the city of Valencia (Spain), an observational, descriptive cross-study was carried out. The result of which was an exhibit of 245 questionnaires gathered between June and December of 2012.

Results: 47, 6% of households always and only use iodized salt whilst 15, 38% of households consume both iodized and non-iodized salt.

Conclusions: Almost half of these households employ iodized salt, therefore benefiting from the properties of this mineral and avoiding the serious illnesses which the lack of the mineral can provoke.