Dietary iron intakes and biochemical iron status of 15-49 year old women in New Zealand: is there a cause for concern?
OBJECTIVE
To assess dietary iron intakes and biochemical iron status of a nationally representative sample of nonpregnant 15-49 year old women (n=1,751) in New Zealand.


METHODS
A cross-sectional national survey was conducted in 1996/97. Women were selected via a multistage stratified cluster sampling procedure with increased sampling of Maori and Pacific women. Dietary iron intakes were estimated using a 24-hour diet recall. Biochemical iron status was assessed on a non-fasting venipuncture blood sample (n=1,047) via haemoglobin, mean cell volume, erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin, transferrin receptors and serum ferritin.


RESULTS
Average daily dietary iron intakes ranged from 9.6 mg/day among Pacific women to 10.5 mg/day among Maori women; 41% of 20-49 year olds and 45% of adolescents were at risk of low dietary iron intakes. The estimated percentage of 15-49 year old women with iron deficiency anaemia ranged from 1.4-5.5%, and for iron deficiency without anaemia from 0.7-12.6% depending on the age group and criteria used.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall estimated prevalence of suboptimal biochemical iron status among 15-49 year old women in New Zealand ranged from 7-13%, which compared favourably with premenopausal women living in other western countries. This situation is, however, a public health concern given the potential negative functional consequences associated with even mild iron deficiency.
Ferguson
E L
EL
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin. Elaine.ferguson@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Morison
I M
IM
Faed
J M
JM
Parnell
W R
WR
McKenzie
J
J
Wilson
N C
NC
Russell
D G
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000032:analysis; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000032:analysis
D006454:Hemoglobins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; C017803:zinc protoporphyrin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron