Dietary Iron Intake of Female University Students and Their Iron Store as Future Mothers: the Case of the College of Natural Sciences.
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Date
2015-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Iron deficiency (ID) is common single nutrient deficiency of great public health significance
affecting children, adolescents and women of reproductive age worldwide. Women of
reproductive age are at higher risk of developing iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.
Therefore, this study was designed to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron
deficiency anemia among regular female university students studying at Addis Ababa University
College of Natural Science in relation to their dietary iron intake and iron deficiency risk factors.
Data on socio-demographic, anthropometric and iron deficiency risk factors such as social habits,
and diseases symptoms, menstrual blood flow, dietary and medical history were collected from
female students in the College of Natural Science, Addis Ababa University. Similarly, a one
week weighed food record was obtained to estimate energy and micronutrient intake of students.
In addition, blood samples were collected from female students (n=45) for analysis of
hemoglobin level, serum ferritin, serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfr) and C-reactive protein.
The participants were in the age of 18-23 years old with mean value of 20.35 ± 1.3. In addition,
they had body mass index in the range of 18.37-26.03 with mean value of 21.85 ± 1.7,
suggesting normal fat-lean mass ratio of the study participants. The majority (95.5%) of present
study participant consumed coffee and or tea, but had low (24.4%) intake frequency of fruits
indicating the habit of consuming iron absorption inhibitors but low consumption of enhancers.
In addition, consumption of fruits was recommended to be followed just short time after meal to
support iron absorption, however, it was observed that the present study students consume fruits
relatively long time after meal. About 9% of students often experienced heavy menstrual blood
flow. On the other hand, 20.0% of students often experienced Amenorrhea. However, neither
excessive blood flow predispose participants for iron deficiency nor the missing of menstrual
cycle were significant (p > 0.05) contributors to preserve hemoglobin or iron status. The majority
of the study participants (84.4%) practiced fasting. The common Ethiopian fasting excludes
animal source foods. However, in the present study fasting didn’t affect the iron status of the
subjects. The mean mineral intakes were: Ca (219.32 ± 15.0 mg/day), Zn (3.70 ± 0.3mg/day) and
Fe (18.01 ± 0.8mg/day). In addition, the mean energy intake was 1965.98 ± 86.7kcal/day. Based
on the result of dietary weight record, about 91% of participants had inadequate energy and all of
the subjects had inadequate Ca and Zn intake. In addition, carbohydrates contributed the greater
daily energy (72.3%) beyond the daily recommended value. On the other hand, the contribution
of fats (14.4%) for daily energy requirement was low. The mean hemoglobin, sTfr and ferritin
values were: 12.88±1.1g/dl, 2.60±0.3μg/l and 86.40±6.3μg/l, respectively. Only 4.5% of the
participants were anemic (low hemoglobin) and had depleted iron store (serum ferritin<12μg/l).
sTfR shows significant association With CRP (p=0.15) and BMI shows a significant correlation
with serum ferritin (p=0.006).
Key words: Iron deficiency anemia; iron deficiency; female university students and Cafeteria
meal
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Keywords
Iron deficiency anemia; iron deficiency; female university students and Cafeteria meal