Effect of Dietary Pattern on the Presence of Iron Deficiency Anemia among Adolescent Girls

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Cairo, Egypt.

2 National Nutrition Institute, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) affects the vast majority of individuals worldwide. It appears that teenage girls are also more likely to have IDA. This study sought to determine the impact of dietary habits and patterns on teenage girls' iron deficiency anemia. 100 teenage females between the ages of 12 and 18 were the subjects of case-control research. Outpatient clinics were used to identify the 50 anemic cases and the 50 non-anemic controls. 68 percent of anemic people and 80 percent of non-anemic people, respectively, had a Z score between +1 and -2. For their age and sex, more than half of anemic and non-anemic girls had normal BMIs (50.8 percent & 52.5 percent respectively). Comparatively to non-anemic patients, anemic subjects have lower socioeconomic status. Females who were not anemic performed better academically than anemic girls, with significant differences. Girls who were anemic had poorer nutritional habits than non-anemic girls. Females with anemia had more parasites than girls who weren't anemic (64 percent & 34 percent respectively). When compared to non-anemic controls, anemic individuals typically have reduced intakes of calories, and macronutrients, particularly protein and fat, iron, and vitamin C. About 62 and 40 percent, respectively, of anemic girls, drank tea and coffee every day. Last but not least, poor eating habits contributed to the development of IDA. The majority of teenage females consumed inadequate calcium. Adolescent females, especially anemic ones, were strongly advised to receive nutritional instruction.
 

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