Goitrogenic foods consumed by schoolchildren in Ngargoyoso sub-district, Karanganyar regency, Central Java, Indonesia.

Abstract

Background

Iodine supplementation alone failed to eliminate endemic goiter in Ngargoyoso sub-district, Karanganyar, regency, Central Java, Indonesia. After six months iodine supplementation the total goiter rate was still >30%. It can be classified as severe endemic using WHO (2007) classification. Since goiter is a multi-factorial entity, other goitrogenic factors must be elucidated.

Objectives

The present study was designed to ascertain whether particular foods consumed by schoolchildren have any impact on the prevalence of goiter in Ngargoyoso sub-district, Karanganyar regency, Central Java, Indonesia.

Methods:

In the first phase of the study a list of food items were asked using a food frequency questionnaire to schoolchildren in Ngargoyoso sub-district, Karanganyar regency, Central Java, Indonesia. To be included in the list, food should meet the following criteria: (1) it has been cited in the literature; (2) it must be available in the study area; and (3) culturally acceptable. Seventeen food items met the criteria. The frequency was divided into six categories i.e. more than once a day, once a day, 3-6 times a week, 1-2 times a week, less than once a month, and never. Cumulative percentage of the first three categories was used as cut off i.e. >40%. It was assumed that beyond this point a particular food was eaten frequently in Ngargoyoso sub-district, Karanganyar regency, Central Java, Indonesia. In the second phase of the study those foods will be studied in vitro and in vivo using animals.

Results

Five hundred and fourteen schoolchildren in Ngargoyoso sub-district participated in the study: 229 students from year 3 and 285 students from year 5. There were 265 boys and 249 girls. Foods frequently eaten by schoolchildren in the study area were fermented soy bean cake (80.9%), tofu (79.8%), onion (72.2%), tomato (64.2%), cassava leaves (60.1%), cabbage (59.1%), cassava (49.2%) and broccoli (44.0%).

Conclusion

Onion, tomato and broccoli are consumed in small amounts, therefore three food items need further investigation in the second phase of the study i.e. soybeans, cassava and cabbage.

Keywords: goitrogenic food, schoolchildren, food frequency questionnaire, total goiter rate.