Households consuming adequately iodized salt (≥15 parts per million)

What does this indicator tell us?

Salt iodization has been adopted as the main strategy to eliminate iodine-deficiency disorders as a public health problem; the aim is to achieve universal salt iodization. While other foodstuffs can be iodized, salt has the advantage of being both widely consumed and inexpensive. Salt has been iodized routinely in some industrialized countries since the 1920s. This indicator is a measure of whether a country's fortification programme is reaching the target population adequately.

How is it defined?

The indicator is a measure of the percentage of households consuming iodized salt, which is defined as salt containing 15-40 parts per million of iodine. Preferably, household access to iodized salt should be >90%.

What are the consequences and implications?

Iodine deficiency is most commonly and visibly associated with thyroid problems (e.g. hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, goitre or an enlarged thyroid gland). However, it takes its greatest toll in impaired mental growth and development in children, which contribute to poor school performance, reduced intellectual ability and impaired work performance.

Source of data

UNICEF data: monitoring the situation of children and women. Iodine deficiency (https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/iodine-deficiency/ ).

Internet resources

WHO. Micronutrient deficiencies: iodine deficiency disorders. (http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/idd/en/ ).

WHO. e-Library of Evidence for Nutrition Actions (eLENA). Iodization of salt for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders.(http://www.who.int/elena/titles/salt_iodization/en/)