Iron deficiency prevalence and dietary patterns by school district in Istanbul.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to record the prevalence of iron deficiency (serum ferritin concentration <15 microg L(-1)) among schoolchildren and identify possible factors related to the development of this medical condition.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 504 schoolchildren attending three primary schools, located in two districts of Istanbul with higher and lower socio-economic level (SEL) respectively. Certain biochemical and haematological indices of iron status were measured. Dietary intake was estimated using the 24-h recall technique and a food frequency questionnaire.


RESULTS
The prevalence of iron deficiency in the lower SEL school district was twice that of the higher SEL school district (42% and 21.2% respectively). Furthermore, the levels of serum ferritin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (all P < 0.001) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (P = 0.016) were higher for students in the higher than in the lower SEL school district. Consumption of tea, cola beverages and dairy products was more frequent by children living in the lower than in the higher SEL school district. Furthermore, consumption of red meat and citrus fruits was less frequent by boys in the lower than in the higher SEL school district.


CONCLUSIONS
Iron deficiency was more prevalent among children from the lower SEL school district. Different patterns in the consumption of foods and beverages that inhibit or enhance intestinal iron absorption between children in the two school districts could provide some explanation for the observed differences in the prevalence of iron deficiency.
Manios
Y
Y
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece. manios@hua.gr
Moschonis
G
G
Kolotourou
M
M
Keskin
Y
Y
Sur
H
H
Kocaoglu
B
B
Hayran
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000032:analysis; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D015995:Prevalence; D012574:Schools; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D014168:Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins