ABSTRACT
A nutrition survey, covering a total of 4801 preschool children in 6 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, has been carried out. The objective was to determine the effects of various dietary patterns on the blood hemoglobin, free erythrocyte proporphyrin, and serum ferritin values. The results indicated a high prevalence of iron deficiency (average 51.9%). Iron deficiency anemia was detected in 16.4% of the children examined and the incidence rate was particularly high among infants at the age group of 6 months and one year, which was 28.7% and 22.9% respectively. The dietary patterns were different in the above geographic areas. The results of dietary survey revealed that a low incidence of iron deficiency was found in those children who consumed more animal food and protein.