Dietary intake and iodine deficiency in women of childbearing age in an Orang Asli community close to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A cross-sectional study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) and associated factors in women of chi ldbearing age. The study was conducted in a small Orang Asli (indigenous Ma lay) community, 46 km south-east of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Women without c hildren or who were not pregnant with their first child were excluded. Of t he 45 women eligible, four women did not participate as they were absent fr om the village for the duration of the study. Thyroid palpation and urinary iodine Level were used to determine the prevalence of IDD. The consumption of foods rich in iodine was determined using a food frequency questionnair e. The study population had a high prevalence (32.4%) of goitre and a very low median urinary iodine level (14.5 +/- 11.5 mu g/L, n = 34). This corres ponds to 'severe iodine deficiency' according to World Health Organization classifications. Freshwater fish was the most frequently consumed iodine so urce. Cassava, which is considered goitrogenic due to its thiocyanate conte nt, was a staple food and was consumed daily by 43% of the participants. Mo st staple foods were locally produced. Women with goitre had significantly Lower protein and energy intakes than did there without. The IDD prevalence found in this study was similar to the prevalence reported in remote Malay sian communities. Possible factors contributing to IDD in various other stu dies were dependence on locally produced foods from potentially iodine defi cient soils, frequent consumption of cassava, and low intake of seafood. Al though this Orang Asli community was close to Kuala Lumpur and not remote, these factors were reflected in the current study. This implies that 'pocke ts' of LDD in Peninsular Malaysia may be more widespread than previously th ought and highlights the need for further investigation of IDD in Peninsula r Malaysia.