Iodine status in schoolchildren living in northeast italy:the importance of iodized-salt use and milk consumption.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were: (i) to determine iodine status of schoolchildren living in northeast Italy; (ii) to assess dietary habits and iodine status and (iii) to investigate the level of knowledge concerning iodine sufficiency and ways to ameliorate iodine status. METHODS: One thousand three hundred seventy-five consecutive 12-13 year-old completed questionnaires collecting demographic data and information about the use of iodized salt and food frequency habits. Iodine concentration in urine samples (UIC) and in commercially available milk samples has been measured. RESULTS: The median UIC was found to be 81 mu g/l (95% confidence interval (CI) 74-87); 40% of the subjects had an UIC of >= 100 mu g/l. Iodine deficiency was prevalent in subjects living in hilly areas. Median iodine concentration in milk was 264 mu g/l. Only the combined use of iodized salt plus daily milk normalized UIC, resulting into a median value of 108 mu g/l. A logistic regression model confirmed independent associations between low UIC and low intake of milk, use of non-iodized salt and geographical location (P