Background and objectives: Thyroid dysfunction has been linked to perinatal depression in women, but the relationship between maternal iodine intake and perinatal emotional distress and depression is ...unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal iodine intake is associated with symptoms of perinatal emotional distress and depression in a mild-to-moderate iodine-deficient population. Methods: The study population comprised 67,812 women with 77,927 pregnancies participating in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study. Self-reported emotional distress and depressive symptoms were reported in pregnancy week 17 and at six months postpartum. Iodine intake was calculated from food and beverage intakes reported in a food frequency questionnaire answered in mid-pregnancy and used a proxy for long-term iodine intake. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in pregnancy week 17 was available for 2792 pregnancies. Use of iodine containing supplements in pregnancy and UIC were used as additional exposure variables. Results: The median iodine intake from food was 121 μg/day and the median UIC was 68 μg/L. The prevalence of high scores for emotional distress was 6.6% in pregnancy and 5.8% six months postpartum. For high scores of postpartum depressive symptoms six months postpartum the prevalence was 10.3%. In non-users of iodine supplements (63%), a low maternal iodine intake from food (lower than ~100–150 μg/day) was associated with increased likelihood of having high scores of emotional distress and depressive symptoms both in pregnancy and six months postpartum (p < 0.001). Iodine supplement use was associated with increased likelihood of high scores for emotional distress in pregnancy compared to no supplement use or use of supplements without iodine. UIC was not associated with depressive symptoms at any time point. Discussion: This is the first study showing that a low habitual iodine intake is associated with increased prevalence of perinatal emotional distress and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the results showed that the use of iodine supplements provided no benefit but was associated with higher likelihood of emotional distress and depressive symptoms, indicating that in women of childbearing age, iodine status should be corrected before starting pregnancy. The potential non-beneficial effect of iodine supplements may have biological explanations.
Background and objectives: It is well established that most food systems need to transform to become more sustainable. NewTools (2021–2025) is a research and collaboration project involving 28 ...partners across the Norwegian food system, representing research institutions (7), food industry (13), government agencies (3), and non-governmental organizations (5). NewTools will develop two new scoring systems for foods; one indicating nutritional quality and one indicating environmental and social impact, and explore potential areas of application. Collaborative research projects require a systems approach, considering perspectives from all partners involved. One part of NewTools is responsible for activities related to project governance. The aim of this study is to present project experiences related to stakeholder involvement and establishing routines for securing research integrity, and research on stakeholder involvement. Methods: To guide stakeholder engagement, we developed a framework for collaboration by adapting an existing framework for stakeholder engagement and tailoring this for NewTools through iterative rounds of input from partners. We explore partners’ reflection on participation through qualitative interviews in two rounds: one round exploring expectations in an early project phase, and one round exploring experiences around halfway in the project (forthcoming). Results: The framework for engagement establishes arenas for involvement and dialogue, with corresponding procedures for transparency. Half-way, the project has conducted eight dialogue-based webinars, seven workshops, four consultations, two project conferences, a collective study trip to Brussels, and two consortium meetings. Interviews on expectations suggest that a range of interests towards scoring systems is present in NewTools. Partners considered collaboration as a value in itself, expected being able to influence outcomes, and found that good project management was important for managing collaboration. Discussion: NewTools is an innovative and ambitious research and collaboration project as it aims to develop new knowledge on how to transform our food system in a sustainable direction together with a diverse group of food systems actors. Facilitating partner involvement is important as they provide information, critical perspectives, data, and feedback. At the same time conflicts of interests must be managed and research integrity secured. Project governance and clear communication that secures common understanding of project goals seems crucial
Hva er et bærekraftig norsk kosthold? Meltzer, Helle Margrete; Abel, Marianne Hope; Knutsen, Helle Katrine ...
Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring,
06/2024, Letnik:
22, Številka:
2
Magazine Article
Odprti dostop
Et bærekraftig kosthold fremmer helse og velvære, har lav miljøpåvirkning, er tilgjengelig, rimelig, trygt, rettferdig og kulturelt akseptabelt. Disse generelle prinsippene må imidlertid oversettes ...til hva som er relevant i en norsk kontekst. Mat som er bra for helsen er stort sett også bra for miljøet, og å følge kostrådene er et viktig skritt mot et bærekraftig kosthold. Mål: Identifisere utfordringer og mulige løsninger i overgangen til et mer bærekraftig kosthold i Norge. Metode: Internasjonale og norske vitenskapelige artikler, rapporter, policydokumenter og statistikk om norsk matproduksjon og forbruk ble identifisert og brukt som grunnlag for å diskutere et bærekraftig kosthold i en norsk kontekst. Resultater og diskusjon: Det er et stort gap mellom kostrådene og hva folk spiser. Mer enn 60% av kaloriene i det norske kostholdet er basert på importerte matvarer og fôrressurser. En sentral utfordring er å prioritere bruk av lokale ressurser. God dyrevelferd og dyrehelse er også grunnleggende premisser for et bærekraftig matsystem. Overgang til et mer bærekraftig kosthold krever omfattende innsats på flere nivåer. Det er et stort handlingsrom for å øke bruken av norske ressurser på en bærekraftig måte. Et mer bærekraftig kosthold kan oppnås ved å redusere kjøttinntaket til fordel for plantebasert mat og fisk, konsumere mer lokalproduserte produkter, redusere matsvinn og støtte landbrukspraksis som fremmer miljømessig og sosial bærekraft. Økt inntak av norskprodusert korn og plantebasert mat vil også kunne gi økt selvforsyning og matsikkerhet i Norge.
Hva er et bærekraftig norsk kosthold? Meltzer, Helle Margrete; Abel, Marianne Hope; Knutsen, Helle Katrine ...
Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring,
06/2024, Letnik:
22, Številka:
2
Magazine Article
Jodsituasjonen i Norge Abel, Marianne Hope; Brantsæter, Anne Lise; Dahl, Lisbeth ...
Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring,
09/2017, Letnik:
15, Številka:
3
Magazine Article
«Jodinntaket er urovekkende lavt i deler av befolkningen, og nasjonale myndigheter bør igangsette tiltak som sikrer adekvat jodstatus i hele befolkningen og spesielt i sårbare grupper som kvinner i ...fertil alder, gravide, ammende og små barn.» Slik konkluderer rapporten om jodstatus i Norge fra Nasjonalt råd for ernæring som ble utgitt i juni 2016 (1).
