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.
To evaluate iron nutritional status of female college students, fasting blood samples were taken from 76 female students of Kangnung National University. Hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit(Hct), serum iron(Fe), total iron binding capacity(TIBC) and serum ferritin concentrations were measured and transferrin saturation was calculated. Mean values for Hb, Hct, Fe, TIBC, TS and serum freeitin were 13.64+/-1.42g/dl, 40.99+/-4.31%, 103.0+/-33.3 microgram/dl, 395.3+/-9.07 microgram/dl, 26.58+/-9.07%and 26.76+/-17.5ng/ml, respectively. Prevalence of iron deficiency greatly varied by indices from 6.8% when judged by Hct to 26.0% by serum ferritin concentration. The Hb concentration was positively correlated with hematocrit (r=0.5402), serum iron(r=0.2819) and transferrin saturation(r=0.2777)(p<0.05). on the other hand, serum ferritin concentration showed significantly negative correlation with TIBC(r=-0.3196). Two-day dietary intake records were collected from subjects to estimate mean daily iron intake and bioavailability of dietary iron. Mean daily intake of iron was 13.15 mg and heme iron intake was 0.83 mg which was 6.4% of total iron intake. Total absorbable iron calculated by the method of Monsen was 1.27 mg and bioavailability of dietary iron was 9.6%. In the light of high prevalence of iron deficiency based of serum ferritin concentration and low bioavailability of iron in the diet, guidelines about diet should be made to increase the content and bioavailability of iron in the diet if female college students.