World Iodine Deficiency Day (21 October) History, Significance, Theme and Observation

World Iodine Deficiency Day Quick Facts

World Iodine Deficiency Day Brief

Global Iodine Deficiency Disorder Prevention Day or World Iodine Deficiency Day is observed every year on 21 October. Iodine deficiency disorder has become a major public health problem worldwide. In today's scenario, 1/3rd of the world population is at risk of suffering from Iodine Deficiency Disorder.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), iodine deficiency is still present in about 54 countries.

World Iodine Deficiency Day Objective

The following are the objectives behind celebrating this day-

1. To Create awareness about adequate use of iodine and to throw light on the consequences of iodine deficiency.
2. To Teach and explain the importance of iodine in the human body.
3. Explaining symptoms and preventive measures for each iodine deficiency disorder.
4. Identifying iodine-rich foods and motivating people to include them in their diet.
5. To clarify people's doubts about this shortcoming.
6. Spreading awareness by distributing pamphlets and audio-visual shows on iodine rich foods.

More info about World Iodine Deficiency Day

What is Iodine?

Iodine is a chemical element. The heaviest of the stable halogens, it exists as a lustrous, purple-black non-metallic solid under standard conditions. It was discovered as a solid in the year 1811 by the French chemist Bernard Courtois. It is the heaviest essential mineral nutrient.

Iodine deficiency affects approximately two billion people and is the leading cause of intellectual disability. Today the major producers of iodine are Chile and Japan. Iodine and its compounds are mainly used in nutrition.

Due to its high atomic number and ease of attachment to organic compounds, it has also been found favorably as a non-toxic radiocontrast material. Due to the specificity of its uptake by the human body, radioactive isotopes of iodine can also be used to treat thyroid cancer.

Importance of Iodine:

Iodine is a micronutrient that is essential for human growth and development. Iodine is a micronutrient essential for the development of the growing baby's brain and thyroid process, Iodine also regulates our body temperature, aids in growth and is an essential component of fetal nutrients, helping to balance iodine in the body. The function of Thyroxine is performed by hormones which are secreted by the thyroid gland, the endocrine gland of humans.

Iodine provides peace of mind, reduces stress, keeps the mind alert and helps to keep Hair, Nails, Teeth and skin in perfect condition.

Problems caused by deficiency of iodine:

• Enlargement of the thyroid gland.
• Mental Illness: Retardation, mental retardation, disturbance of cognitive development in children and brain damage.
• Neuromuscular and asthenic (muscle stiffness).
• Endemic cretinism (inhibition of physical and mental development).
• stillbirth and spontaneous abortion in pregnant women.
• Congenital abnormalities such as deaf-mute (inability to talk) and dwarfism.
• Defects in seeing, hearing and speaking.

Foods rich in Iodine:

Iodine is not produced inside the body. Therefore, it should be consumed in the form of daily food and water supplements. A full grown adult needs 150 micrograms of iodine each day in the body for the brain and body to function properly.

The most common source of iodine is salt. Some other iodine-rich foods such as: Milk, Egg, Seaweed, Shelfish, Sea fish, Seafood, meat, Pulses-cereals etc. are rich in iodine and hence need to be made a part of daily diet. Salt can be replaced with iodized salt to get the daily dose of iodine- the most common ingredient in cooking.

Iodine deficiency diseases:

Following are the various diseases caused due to deficiency of iodine:-

• Iodine deficiency mainly causes goiter.
• Swelling on the face due to iodine deficiency.
• Swelling of the throat (swelling of the thyroid gland in the front part of the throat).
• Thyroid deficiency (when the production of thyroid hormone is less than normal).
• Obstruction in the functioning of the brain causes diseases such as weight gain, increased cholesterol levels in the blood and cold tolerance.
• Iodine deficiency in pregnant women causes miscarriage, low birth weight, stillbirth, and death of the baby after birth.
• Iodine deficiency in an infant can cause intellectual and physical development problems such as slowing of the brain, stunted growth, stunting, late puberty, hearing and speech problems, and lack of understanding.

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