Nutritional Iron Status in Pre- and Postmenopause Middle-Aged Women in Kangnung Area

The purpose of this study were to assess iron status and obesity in 82 middle aged women living in Kangnung area. Anthropometric measurements were taken for body weight, height, percentage of body fat and circumferences of waist and hip. Venous blood samples were drawn from subjects for measurement of hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit(Hct), serum iron(Fe), total iron binding capacity(TIBC), transferrin saturation(TS) and serum ferritin. Dietary intakes of iron(heme iron and nonheme iron), the amounts of MPF(meat, poultry and fish) and ascorbic acid were assessed by modified 24-hr recall method. The results obtained are summarized as follows : Postmenopausal women had more body fat than premenopausal women. That is, postmenopausal women tend to be obeser than premenopausal women. There was no difference in Hb, Hct, Fe, TIBC and TS between pre- and postmenopausal women. But the serum ferritin concentration of postmenopausal women(83.7+/-2.1ng/ml) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than premenopausal women(56.4+/-1.0ng/ml). Prevalences of iron deficiency (20%, 20.0% and 17.1% respectively) of postmenopausal women. The mean daily intakes of total iron in pre- and postmenopausal women were 17.5+/-.3mg and 15.6+/-.9mg, respectively. Bioavailabilities of dietary iron were 6.5% and 4.5% in pre- and post-groups. These results indicate that individual dietary guidelines should be used to educate middle-aged women different in status of menopause. For example, premenopausal women should increase nutritional iron status and postmenopausal women should try to prevent obesity.

A Study on Iron Nutritional Status of Girls at Puberty in Kangnung Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was designed to assess the iron nutritional status of girls at puberty in Kangnung area. The subjects consisted of 161 adolescents in sixth-grade in primary school and first-grade in middle school girls. Anthropometric measurements were taken for body weight, height, percentage of body fat, and circumferences of waist and hip. Nutrient intakes were assessed by modified 24-hour recall method. Food models and other measuring tools were also used. Fasting blood samples were obtained and analyzed for hemoglobin(Hb) concentration, hematocrit(Hct), serum iron(FE) and total iron binding capacity(TIBC). Mean values for Hb, Hct, Fe, TIBC, TS and serum ferritin were 13.6+/-0.9g/dl, 39.6+/-3.9%, 91.3+/-36.3 microgram/dl, 327.9+/-45.2 microgram/dl, 28.3+/-11.8% and 37.4+/-24.2ng/ml, respectively. Prevalence of iron deficiency greatly varied by indices from 4.8% when judged by Hb to 18.4% by serum Fe concentration. The Hb concentration was positively correlated with Hct(r=0.641), serum iron(r=0.266) and transferrin saturation(r=0.237)(p<0.05). On the other hand, serum ferritin concentration showed significantly negative correlation with TIBC(r=-0.572). Mean daily intake of iron was 14.94mg and heme iron intake was 1.13mg and which was 7.6% of total iron intake. Total absorbable iron calculated by the method of Mosen was 1.38mg and bioavailability of diectary iron was 9.3%. These results suggest that the prevalence of iron deficiency of pubertal girls is very high, therefore the guidelines for diet and social supports, such as, school food service system should be provided to improve their iron status in middle school students.