The Interplay Of Vitamin A and Salt For Optimal Body Health

The Interplay Of Vitamin A and Salt For Optimal Body Health. The relationship between vitamins and salt, contributing to the well-being of the body, can be examined from diverse perspectives. One noteworthy aspect is the correlation between the use of iodized salt and the occurrence of malnutrition in children, which is also associated with Vitamin A deficiency. Yuziani et al., in their research article titled "The Connection between Weighing Frequency, Iodized Salt Usage, and Vitamin A Provision with Underweight Incidence in Toddlers at the Muara Satu Community Health Center in Lhokseumawe City," explored the relationship between the frequency of weighing, iodized salt usage, and Vitamin A provision with underweight incidents in toddlers at the Muara Satu Community Health Center in Lhokseumawe City, Aceh, Indonesia.

The study's objective was to understand the overview of weighing frequency, iodized salt usage, Vitamin A provision, and the underweight situation in toddlers at the Muara Satu Community Health Center. It aimed to calculate the risk factors associated with weighing frequency, iodized salt usage, Vitamin A provision, and underweight using logistic regression models, ultimately producing a model to predict the underweight risk level in toddlers.

Research findings revealed that the majority of respondents had a normal nutritional status (94.8%), with a small percentage experiencing underweight (5.2%). Respondents engaged in weighing more than four times in six months (76.0%), while some weighed less than four times (24.0%). The majority used iodized salt (78.1%), with a low iodized salt usage category at 21.9%. All respondents received Vitamin A (100%). The administration of Vitamin A correlated with underweight incidents, indicating that toddlers receiving blue-colored Vitamin A from the age of six months had a 37% chance of avoiding the risk. The research also assumed that all toddlers included in the study underwent weighing more than four times, received iodized salt and Vitamin A, assuming they all had normal nutrition. The results suggested that weighing frequency and iodized salt usage were not correlated with underweight incidents, whereas Vitamin A provision was associated with underweight and had the potential to avoid the risk.

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Additionally, according to Muliah et al.'s research titled "The Relationship between Weighing Frequency, Iodized Salt Usage, and Vitamin A Provision with Underweight Incidence in Toddlers in East Java Province," iodine is one of the nutritional elements associated with children's growth. Children experiencing malnutrition often suffer from Vitamin A deficiency due to their severely inadequate nutrient intake. The research aimed to investigate the relationship between weighing frequency, iodized salt usage, and Vitamin A provision with underweight incidents in toddlers in East Java Province. This secondary data analysis drew from the 2016 Nutrition Status Monitoring survey in East Java Province, with a sample size of 10,440 households with toddlers.

The conclusion of this study is that the administration of blue-colored Vitamin A is related to underweight incidents in East Java. Based on both studies, it is suggested that the administration of Vitamin A, especially the blue variant, plays a crucial role in preventing underweight in toddlers. Although weighing frequency and iodized salt usage may not fully correlate with underweight in specific research contexts, attention to early Vitamin A provision appears to positively contribute to child nutrition. Therefore, it is recommended to enhance understanding and implementation of Vitamin A provision for toddlers as a preventive measure against underweight.


Source:
1. Jurnal Kedokteran Syiah Kuala
2. Journal of Media Gizi Indonesia