International students in Australia: Are they food insecure?

Abstract

This occurred before and after fortification. We used the WHO criterion of median urinary iodine concentration (MUIC) >100 mg/L in spot urine samples to classify population groups as replete for iodine. Results: There were 590 urine samples before and after fortification. MUIC improved for all groups: in men from 47, 78 and 93 mg/L to 98, 128 and 132 mg/L in remote Aboriginal, urban Aboriginal and urban non-Aboriginal participants respectively. Similarly, in women, median concentrations increased from 55, 58 and 63 mg/L to 89, 127 and 94 mg/L respectively. All groups were classified as deficient prior to fortification. Following fortification , urban men, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, and urban Aboriginal women were classified as replete. However remote living Aboriginal people and urban non-Aboriginal women continued to be classified as deficient. Conclusions: Although there was improvement across all the groups post fortification, some groups remain in the mild deficiency range. This is most concerning in women of childbearing age as iodine requirements increase in pregnancy and lactation. Funding source(s): NHMRC