Diet and Iron Status, a Study of Relationships, United States, 1971-74

Abstract: Findings of the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey examine relationships between dietary intake of iron and measures of anemia and relate the prevalence of anemia to various socioeconomic and demographic variables for persons 1-74 years of age. Statistical data, rather than descriptive data, provide the bases for this analysis. Two unexpected findings emerged: iron-deficiency anemia appears to be a problem only among very young children when the lack of iron can be attributed to a combination of low transferrin saturation and low hemoglobin levels; and no strong relationship exists between iron intake and iron status in the general population. Included are: a review of the literature; the methodology used; findings (iron status; iron intake and iron status; and relational analyses); discussion; references; detailed tables; and appendices. (wz).