An analysis of iodine deficiency disorder and eradication strategies in the high atlas mountains of morocco

Abstract

The population of the Ounein Valley in the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco is at high risk of iodine deficiency. Food consumption habits, iodine deficiency and goiter patterns in local children were investigated through regression analysis using data from a household survey. Median urinary iodine content and goiter analysis both reflected moderate iodine deficiency in the population. Total fish consumption had a statistically significant, positive effect on urinary iodine content. Fish consumption, like that of salt, was closely related to market access. Respondents were generally unaware of the dietary etiology of goiter. An effective strategy to reduce the high incidence of iodine deficiency disorder among children in the valley must attend to four crucial issues: fish consumption, salt iodization, nutrition education, and market access. 197 Downloaded by [Universita Studi la Sapienza] at 07:15 11 June 2016 198 E.A. OLDHAM ET AL.

The Paradox of Nutrition-Related Diseases in the Arab Countries: The Need for Action

“…In Morocco, fish consumption was negatively associated with goiter among school children in Atlas Mountains of Morocco. It was concluded that the effective programme to control the prevalence of goiter should include four main activities: encourage fish consumption, salt iodization, nutrition education [ 41 ]. However, several studies showed that the altitudes may play an important factor.…”

Soil mineral availability and human mineral status: A review and evidence from Malawi

“…There is a key difference between the findings of these new studies and the older, anecdotal evidence on soil and human mineral deficiencies. Older evidence tended to regard extreme circumstances, where soils were massively deficient in Zn, Se, or iodine, and humans living in those areas displayed extreme symptoms of severe deficiency (Cao et al, 1994; X. Chen et al, 1980; Contempre et al, 1991; Oldham et al, 1998; Prasad et al, 1961, 1963). These larger studies in Ethiopia, Malawi, and Nepal suggest that soil mineral availability may influence human mineral status even when soil deficiencies are mild.…”