title: The effect of nutrition knowledge and dietary iron intake on iron status in young women.
abstract: Previous research on the relationships between general nutrition knowledge and dietary intake, and dietary iron intake and iron status has produced inconsistent results. Currently, no study has focused on knowledge of dietary iron and its effect on dietary iron intake.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine whether nutrition knowledge of iron is related to dietary iron intake in young women, and subsequently whether greater knowledge and intake translates into better iron status.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional assessment of nutrition knowledge of iron, dietary iron intake and iron status was conducted in women aged 18-35 years living in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Iron status was assessed by serum ferritin, haemoglobin, soluble transferrin receptor and alpha-1-glycoprotein.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and seven women (27.8 ± 4.7 years) completed the nutrition knowledge questionnaire and FFQ. Of these, 74 (70%) also had biomarkers of iron status measured. Mean iron intake was 11.2 ± 3.8 mg/day. There was no association between nutrition knowledge score and whether the women met the RDI for iron (F (1, 102) = .40, P = .53). A positive correlation was shown between nutrition knowledge score and iron intake (mg/day) (r = 0.25, P = .01). Serum ferritin was positively associated with the frequency of flesh food intake (r = .27 P = .02). Vegetarians (including partial vegetarians) had significantly lower serum ferritin levels than non-vegetarians (F (1, 71) = 7.44, P = .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant positive correlations found between higher flesh food intake and biomarkers of iron status suggest that educating non-vegetarians about the benefits of increased flesh food consumption and vegetarians about dietary iron enhancers and inhibitors may have potential for addressing the high rates of iron deficiency among young women.
authors: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors: Alecia J
authors: AJ
authors: Leonard
authors: School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors: Kerry A
authors: KA
authors: Chalmers
authors: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors: Clare E
authors: CE
authors: Collins
authors: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: amanda.patterson@newcastle.edu.au.
authors: Amanda J
authors: AJ
authors: Patterson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009961:Orosomucoid / Q000378:metabolism; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000097:blood; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D009961:Orosomucoid; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins
keywords: Iron intake; Iron status; Nutrition knowledge