The National Nutrition Council – National Capital Region (NNC-NCR) joins the nation in the observance of Goiter Awareness Week (GAW) this last week of January 2016. GAW is celebrated every fourth week of January as declared by Proclamation No. 1188, s. 2006 to promote public awareness on Goiter and Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD). According to this proclamation, the Philippines was once declared as the most goitrous country in Asia and is presently classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a nation in transition from being iodine-deficient to iodine sufficient.

Iodine can be found mainly in salt water fishes, shellfishes, seaweeds and in some vegetables that are cultivated in iodine-rich soil. Only a tiny amount of iodine is needed in a person’s daily diet (150-300 milligrams) which means that in our whole lifetime, all we need to consume is just one teaspoon of iodine. Inadequate intake of iodine can lead to iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), the most common of which is goiter. Studies show that IDD impairs fetal brain development and can result to a lifetime intellectual deficit of 10 – 15 IQ points in newborn children.

The use of iodized salt is the most practical way of getting the iodine from our daily diet. This is being emphasized in this year’s theme, “Goiter Sugpuin, Isip Patalinuhin, Iodized Salt Gamitin”. In support of this nationwide observance, NNC-NCR will disseminate information on IDD and its prevention, particularly the use of adequately iodized salt and the consumption of iodine-rich foods through the social media and its nutrition networks.

“Goiter Sugpuin, Isip Patalinuhin, Iodized Salt Gamitin!”

(MABRM/MEVF/NNCNCR)