Vegans and vegetarians living in Nottingham (UK) continue to be at risk of iodine deficiency

Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. Individuals adhering to vegan and vegetarian diets have been found to be vulnerable to iodine deficiency. Yet, iodine has not been monitored in these groups across time. This study aims to investigate iodine status, intake and knowledge in vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores and determine changes between 2016-17 and 2019. Dietary intake (µg day-1) was estimated by three-day food diaries (FD), and iodine food frequency questionnaires (FFQ). Urinary iodine concentration (UIC), analysed by ICP-MS, assessed iodine status according to World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria. Iodine knowledge was scored by an adapted questionnaire. IBM SPSS was used for statistical analysis.