Nourishing minds: Strength‑based evidence of dietary iodine against neurodevelopmental delay in Indigenous adolescents
1
Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1469
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Improving dietary iodine intake among Indigenous and/or remote communities is a recognised public health priority due to its essential role in neurological development 1, 2. This study investigated whether dietary iodine consumption is protective against neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) among Indigenous adolescents in Australia and whether these effects differ by geographic location, applying a strength‑based and longitudinal approach.
METHODS:
Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC)3 collected between 2008 and 2018. The analytic sample included Indigenous adolescents aged 11–16 years (n=1029). Dietary iodine intake was assessed across nine LSIC waves based on daily consumption of five iodine‑rich food groups: eggs, milk/dairy products, grains, fresh fruits, and meat/fish, reported across meals. NDDs were extracted from ten LSIC waves and included autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disability, learning disabilities, neurological, speech, and psychiatric conditions. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate the longitudinal association between iodine intake and NDDs, adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic position. Analyses were stratified by location (major cities vs. remote/regional areas).
RESULTS:
Overall, 16% of adolescents reported an NDD, with most residing in remote/regional areas (68%). Dietary iodine intake demonstrated a protective effect against NDDs in the overall sample. Stratified analyses indicated that regular egg consumption was protective among adolescents living in major cities, whereas milk/dairy intake showed a protective effect among those in remote/regional communities.
CONCLUSIONS:
This strength‑based study underscores the importance of iodine‑rich foods in reducing neurodevelopmental risk among Indigenous adolescents. Findings support equity‑focused health policies and highlight opportunities for location‑specific strategies to improve dietary iodine intake and support healthy neurodevelopment in Indigenous and remote communities.
Improving dietary iodine intake among Indigenous and/or remote communities is a recognised public health priority due to its essential role in neurological development 1, 2. This study investigated whether dietary iodine consumption is protective against neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) among Indigenous adolescents in Australia and whether these effects differ by geographic location, applying a strength‑based and longitudinal approach.
METHODS:
Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC)3 collected between 2008 and 2018. The analytic sample included Indigenous adolescents aged 11–16 years (n=1029). Dietary iodine intake was assessed across nine LSIC waves based on daily consumption of five iodine‑rich food groups: eggs, milk/dairy products, grains, fresh fruits, and meat/fish, reported across meals. NDDs were extracted from ten LSIC waves and included autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disability, learning disabilities, neurological, speech, and psychiatric conditions. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate the longitudinal association between iodine intake and NDDs, adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic position. Analyses were stratified by location (major cities vs. remote/regional areas).
RESULTS:
Overall, 16% of adolescents reported an NDD, with most residing in remote/regional areas (68%). Dietary iodine intake demonstrated a protective effect against NDDs in the overall sample. Stratified analyses indicated that regular egg consumption was protective among adolescents living in major cities, whereas milk/dairy intake showed a protective effect among those in remote/regional communities.
CONCLUSIONS:
This strength‑based study underscores the importance of iodine‑rich foods in reducing neurodevelopmental risk among Indigenous adolescents. Findings support equity‑focused health policies and highlight opportunities for location‑specific strategies to improve dietary iodine intake and support healthy neurodevelopment in Indigenous and remote communities.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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