Skeletal Fluorosis In Relation To Drinking Water, Nutritional Status And Living Habits In Rural Areas Of Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Fluorosis is an endemic disease resulting from excess intake of fluoride (F) through drinking water, food or dentrifices. Skeletal fluorosis is caused by prolonged intake of excessive amounts of fluoride. Endemic skeletal fluorosis is widely prevalent in India and in many countries around the world but it is a major public health problem in some 25 countries in Asia and Africa. Good nutrition is as important for bone health as it is for general health. The severity of fluoride toxicity depends on the concentration of fluoride in drinking water, daily intake of fluoride, continuity and duration of exposure to fluoride, although the adequate nutrient intakes of calcium, vitamin D, and protein are of critical importance for bone health, phosphorus and certain trace minerals (magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc) and vitamin C and K are also involved in bonehealth. Although the prevalence of fluorosis in relation to the concentration of F in drinking water has been widely reported. Studies on the occurrence of fluorosis in relation to other variables such as age, sex, and certain dietary components are also of interest. Because the incidence of fluorosis in relation to nutritional status, use of certain foodstuffs and living habits of subjects has had only limited study, the present investigation was undertaken to determine the relationship of skeletal fluorosis to drinking water, nutritional status, living habits, age, sex and various vices in selected villages of Warora tehsil of Chandrapur district, Maharashtra.