Fish Consumption and Iodine and Vitamin D Status
Izzeldin Hussein *
London metropolitan University, London, UK and ICCIDD GN, EMRO, Oman.
Samia Al Ghanamia
ICCIDD GN, EMRO, Oman and Ministry of health, Muscat, Oman.
Kebreab Ghebremeskel
Ministry of fisheries and Agriculture, Muscat, Oman.
yoeju Min
Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the effect of fish consumption on iodine and vitamin of Omani School Children.
Methods: Omani school children aged 9 and 10 years were recruited from two schools in Muscat Governorate in Oman. The children were randomly divided in to fish and control groups. The fish group received fish menu lunch 4 times a week. The control group did not receive fish or any other dietary supplement. Ethical approval from the Ministry of Health of Oman and parental consent were obtained.
The intervention period was sixteen weeks (four months).
Results: The children who received fish meal for sixteen weeks had higher levels of urinary iodine and plasma vitamin D compared with the control group (p<0.0001).
Conclusions: Regular consumption fish is effective in enhancing iodine and vitamin D status of children.