Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Technologia Alimentaria

Abstract The aim of the study was an estimation of the level of nutrition knowledge on iodine deficiency in woman with diagnosed thyroid diseases and its comparison with healthy woman’s knowledge. The study was conducted by direct interview method among 400 women – 200 patients of the Clinic of Thyroid Diseases in Poznan (Poland) and 200 “healthy” individuals (thyroid diseases were not diagnosed). Respondents were asked to give their opinion to the sequence of statements relating to iodine deficiency prophylaxis. A sufficient level of knowledge was found in terms of basic issues concerning iodine deficiency, i.e. the role of iodine in the thyroid gland functioning and its sources in the diet. However, both in the group of patients and healthy individuals, a low level of knowledge was found connected with the effect of thermal processing on iodine content in food and food limiting the iodine supply. The level of nutrition knowledge in woman with diagnosed thyroid disease was higher than in healthy woman. Due to the role of knowledge on factors limiting the iodine supply from the diet for the effectiveness of iodine deficiency prophylaxis, it is essential to include them in nutrition education.