Dietary surveys

Parents/guardians are invited to participate when they bring their child for a 2.5-year check-up at the healthcare center. Approximately 200 children are needed for meaningful analysis.

While direct benefits to participants are limited, the study's findings will be instrumental in assessing the safety of using iodised salt in bread production in Iceland. The risks associated with participation are negligible.

Participation is brief, with the most time-consuming part being collecting a urine sample from your child. Most children at this age wear diapers; parents/guardians will receive a syringe and cotton for urine collection and a test tube.

• Completing a short questionnaire about the child‘s diet, gender, height and weight (10 questions total)

• Collecting a urine sample from the child (see video)

• Submit the above to the healthcare center where the examination took place

Participation is free. However, you must return an envelope containing the sample tube, signed informed consent (if not signed at the healthcare center), and the completed questionnaire. There is no compensation for participation.

All information provided will be kept confidential and anonymous. Researchers have signed a non-disclosure agreement, and research data will be securely stored. Urine samples will be analyzed in Denmark (The National Food Institute at the Technical University of Denmark), and all data and samples will be deleted after analysis.

Participation is voluntary. You may withdraw from the study at any time without explanation or consequences. Declining to participate will not affect your child's health care.

Iodine is a vital trace mineral, especially during pregnancy. Recent findings have indicated insufficient iodine status among pregnant women in Iceland. Moreover, a national dietary survey revealed that many adults lack adequate iodine. It is crucial to ensure that any measures taken to improve national iodine levels do not adversely affect vulnerable groups, such as young children. Hence, this study aims to provide necessary information on the iodine status of young children.

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of iodine for 2-year-olds is 90 μg per day and 150 μg per day for adults.

You can read more about iodine in a recent article in Læknablaðið (Icelandic) and in a recent summary article on iodine.

The easiest way to meet the need for iodine is to consume two portions (glasses/plates/cans) of milk or dairy products per day and fish two to three times a week. Haddock contains the most iodine. Pregnant women who follow these recommendations for milk and fish consumption get adequate amounts of iodine.

Those who rarely or never eat fish and consume little or no milk and dairy products may be at risk of not getting enough iodine. In such situations, it is recommended to take a daily dietary supplement (multivitamin) containing 150 micrograms of iodine (RDA for adults). Iodine intake greater than 600 micrograms per day should be avoided for adults.

Pregnant women and children should not use kelp or kelp tablets as an iodine source at all, as kelp can contain iodine in higher doses than it is desirable to consume during pregnancy and also substances that can be harmful to the fetus.

Breastfeeding mothers who do not consume dairy products or fish need to take iodine as a supplement to ensure the baby's need for iodine. In such situations, it is recommended to take a supplement daily (multivitamin) containing 100 micrograms of iodine for children aged 1-3 years or 150 micrograms for adults. Avoid taking more iodine than 200 micrograms for children aged 1-5 years and more than 600 micrograms per day for adults.

More information on nutrition during pregnancy