Final answer:
Iodine deficiency is common in mountain regions due to low iodine levels in the soil and water, leading to insufficient iodine in the local diet. Iodization of salt and water is a key intervention to prevent iodine deficiency-related health issues in these areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Iodine deficiency is common in mountain regions due to the lack of iodine in the soil and water. This micronutrient is essential for the production of thyroid hormones, which are critical for metabolic regulation and growth. In mountainous areas, plants and water sources contain low levels of iodine, contributing to deficiencies among populations who rely on these resources for their diet.
To combat this, iodine is often added to table salt or to drinking water in regions where deficiency is common. Historically, before the iodization of salt, conditions such as goiter and even cretinism were more prevalent. The introduction of iodized salt has greatly reduced iodine deficiency in many parts of the world.
Nevertheless, in landlocked and mountainous regions, access to marine foods, which are naturally high in iodine, is limited. People in these areas depend largely on the local produce, which tends to lack sufficient iodine, making iodization interventions vital to prevent health issues associated with iodine deficiency, such as hypothyroidism.