Iron Status in Female College Students in the Gyeongnam Area

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to investigate iron status and related factors in female college students residing in Gyeongnam. The subjects were divided into normal (40.8%) and iron deficiency (ID) groups (59.2%) by iron status. Mean height, weight, lean body mass, percent body fat, body mass index, and wrist to hip ratio were not significantly different between the groups, but basic metabolic rate was significantly higher in the normal group than that in the ID group. The levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were significantly higher in the normal group than those in the ID group. However, total iron binding capacity was significantly lower in the normal group than that in the ID group. Daily intake of protein, heme-Fe, niacin, and vitamin C were significantly higher in the normal group than those in the ID group. The mean intake of protein, Fe, niacin, vitamin B12, and vitamin C based on the Korean recommended intake (RI) were significantly higher in the normal group than those in the ID group. The mean intakes of Ca, vitamin B12, and folate in both groups were < 75% of the Korean RI. In conclusion, increasing dietary heme-Fe and vitamin C may be helpful for preventing ID anemia in female college students.