Highlights
- October 21 is marked as World Iodine Deficiency Day
- Iodine is required to create a vital chemical known as thyroid hormone
- In India, Iodine is not naturally present in the Soil
New Delhi: October 21 is marked as World Iodine Deficiency Day and is also known as Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) Prevention Day in bid to make people aware about the importance of micronutrient – Iodine in the human body. According to the American Thyroid Association, “Human body does not make iodine, but it is considered as an essential part of the diet. A certain amount of iodine is always required in the human body in order to create a vital chemical known as thyroid hormone.”
Also Read: World Iodine Deficiency Day 2020: Understanding The Importance of Iodine For The Body
If that certain amount of Iodine is not taken by the individual then they can suffer from Iodine Deficiency Disorder, which is the cause of mental developmental problems in children, including implications on reproductive functions and lowering of IQ levels in school-aged children, as per the National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services.
Iodine Deficiency Disorder can cause the following impact on children
WHO states that Iodine deficiency disorders, which can start before birth, can jeopardize children’s mental health and often their survival. It also states that serious iodine deficiency during pregnancy can result in stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, and congenital abnormalities such as cretinism, a grave, irreversible form of mental retardation that affects people living in iodine-deficient areas of Africa and Asia.
WHO says that Iodine deficiency disorders can start before birth in children and can jeopardize children’s mental health and often their survival
To make people aware about these serious health challenges due to Iodine deficiency, political leaders from across the country took to social media to spread awareness about the day.
Sharing suggestions and tips on how people can make sure their iodine intake is upto the mark in their diet to prevent Iodine Deficiency Disorder, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan said,
21st Oct is celebrated as #WorldIodineDeficiencyDay to spread awareness about serious ill effects of Iodine deficiency. It can cause spasticity abortions hearing speech & vision impairment among other problems. Ensure a measured healthy intake of iodine in your diet – eat lots of Iodine rich food, take an iodine supplement, have iodized salt in small amounts.
21st Oct is celebrated as #WorldIodineDeficiencyDay to spread awareness about serious ill effects of Iodine deficiency
It can cause spasticity abortions hearing speech & vision impairment among other problems.
Ensure a measured healthy intake of iodine in your diet@MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/BCMmOYKUnS— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) October 21, 2020
Stressing about the ill-effects and health complications one can face due to Iodine Deficiency, Chief Minister Of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot added,
On World Iodine Deficiency Day, let’s highlight the importance of iodine consumption & spread awareness about iodine-rich dietary practices. Deficiency can lead to disorders & learning disabilities, which are preventable. Iodine is important for human body & it should be part of our diet.
On World Iodine Deficiency Day,let’s highlight the importance of iodine consumption & spread awareness abt iodine-rich dietary practices. Deficiency can lead to disorders & learning disabilities, wch are preventable. Iodine is important for human body & it shd b part of our diet.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) October 21, 2020
“I” stands for IODINE,” said Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics, Programme Implementation & Planning and further added that it is estimated that in India alone, more than 6.1 Cr people are suffering from endemic goiter and 88 lakh people from mental illness. He said,
As per WHO, around 54 countries are iodine-deficient. Spread awareness, 21st Oct is known as World iodine deficiency day. #MissingI
"I" stands for IODINE.
It is estimated that in India alone, more than 6.1 Cr people are suffering from endemic goiter and 88 lakh people from mental illness.
As per @WHO, around 54 countries are iodine-deficient.
Spread awareness 21st Oct– World iodine deficiency day#MissingI— Rao Inderjit Singh (@Rao_InderjitS) October 21, 2020
Explaining why Iodine is so crucial for the human body, Dr Sudhakar K, Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education, Government of Karnataka said,
Iodine is an essential micronutrient required for normal thyroid function, growth and development. On this World Iodine Deficiency Day let us pledge to create awareness about the adequate use of iodine in our diet and the consequences of iodine deficiency.
Iodine is an essential micronutrient required for normal thyroid function, growth and development. On this World Iodine Deficiency Day let us pledge to create awareness about the adequate use of iodine in our diet and the consequences of iodine deficiency.@DHFWKA pic.twitter.com/1nwXWc6Lxa
— Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) October 21, 2020
In India, the entire population is prone to Iodine deficiency because the soil in our part of the world is iodine deficient; especially in the North and North Eastern States. To combat this, common salt in the country was fortified with iodine and now the sale of non-iodized salt is banned in our country.
NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
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