Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Overweight toddlers and those not in day care at risk for iron deficiency

Overweight toddlers and those not in day care at risk for iron deficiency

September 04, 2007

A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers has found that overweight toddlers and those not enrolled in day care are at high risk for iron deficiency.

Based on data from a national survey of 1,641 toddlers, the study found that 20 percent of overweight toddlers were iron-deficient, compared to 8 percent of those at risk for being overweight, and 7 percent of normal-weight toddlers.




The study, appearing in the September issue of the journal Pediatrics, is the first to report an association between iron deficiency and being overweight among children as young as 1 to 3 years old.

The study also found that 10 percent of the study's toddlers not in day care had iron deficiency, while only about 5 percent of toddlers who were enrolled in day care had iron deficiency.

"Given the detrimental long-term effects and high prevalence of iron deficiency, preventing iron deficiency in early childhood is an important public health issue," said Dr. Jane Brotanek, assistant professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern and lead author of the study.

Iron deficiency, a common cause of anemia, results in impaired bone marrow and muscle function. Iron-deficiency anemia in infancy and early childhood is associated with behavioral and cognitive delays, including impaired learning, decreased school achievement, and lower scores on tests of mental and motor development.

Several studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of iron deficiency in the United States among low-income infants and children, who may experience food insecurity and have diets low in iron.

In the current study, Dr. Brotanek and her colleagues used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV, for a nationally representative sample of U.S. children 1 to 3 years old. The NHANES IV was conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics from 1999 through 2002. Participating families were asked to complete an extensive household interview and have a medical examination in a mobile health center.

Among the 1,641 toddlers tested, 42 percent were Hispanic, 28 percent were white and 25 percent were black. Iron deficiency prevalence was 12 percent among Hispanics versus 6 percent of whites and 6 percent of blacks. Fourteen percent of toddlers with parents interviewed in a language other than English had iron deficiency versus 7 percent of toddlers with parents interviewed in English.

Dietary practices leading to iron deficiency include exclusive breastfeeding beyond six months not supplemented by iron-rich foods or vitamins with iron, early introduction of milk, prolonged bottle feeding, and excessive consumption of cow's milk. An association between maternal prenatal anemia and iron deficiency has also been reported.

Dr. Brotanek said that children not weaned from the bottle at an appropriate age may become accustomed to drinking excessive amounts of milk and juices, leading to less appetite for a more balanced and healthy diet.

As for the discrepancy among iron deficiency rates for stay-at-home versus day care-enrolled children, Dr. Brotanek said the reason is unclear and needs to be further studied.

"It may be that children enrolled in day care centers have better diets, with higher amounts of iron, than children who do not attend day care," Dr. Brotanek said. "Little is known about the quantity and types of foods and beverages served in child care settings as well as staff training on nutrition."

Hispanic toddlers were significantly more likely than white and black toddlers to be overweight and not in day care. The higher prevalence of these nonethnic risk factors may account for the increased risk of iron deficiency among Hispanic toddlers. Dr. Brotanek said community-based interventions should consider this racial/ethnic disparity and the increased risk of iron deficiency among overweight toddlers when implementing prevention programs.

UT Southwestern Medical Center



Related Iron Deficiency Current Events and Iron Deficiency News Articles Iron Deficiency Current Events and Iron Deficiency News RSS Iron Deficiency Current Events and Iron Deficiency News RSS
Key site in iron metabolism aids in diagnosing anemia of chronic disease
University of Utah School of Medicine researchers have developed a new tool that facilitates diagnosis of anemia related to chronic illness, as well as diseases of iron overload. The results of a study detailing the new tool are published in the August 2008 issue of the journal Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press.

Study identifies trends of vitamin B6 status in US population sample
In an epidemiological study, Tufts University researchers identified trends of vitamin B6 status in a sample of the United States population based on measures of plasma pyridoxal 5'- phosphate (PLP) levels in the bloodstream. Plasma PLP is the indicator used by the federal government to set the current Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin B6, a nutrient essential for red blood cell function and important for maintaining a healthy immune system and blood glucose levels.

Iron supplements might harm infants who have enough
A new study suggests that extra iron for infants who don't need it might delay development -- results that fuel the debate over optimal iron supplement levels and could have huge implications for the baby formula and food industry.

Vitamin D in brain function
In a definitive critical review, scientists at Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland ask whether there is convincing biological or behavioral evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to brain dysfunction.

Bloodless Worm Sheds Light on Human Blood, Iron Deficiency
Using a lowly bloodless worm, University of Maryland researchers have discovered an important clue to how iron carried in human blood is absorbed and transported into the body. The finding could lead to developing new ways to reduce iron deficiency, the world's number one nutritional disorder.

A genetic cause for iron deficiency
The discovery of a gene for a rare form of inherited iron deficiency may provide clues to iron deficiency in the general population - particularly iron deficiency that doesn't respond to iron supplements - and suggests a new treatment approach.

In early childhood, continuous care by 1 doctor improves delivery of health screenings
Children examined by the same doctor during their first six months of life are more likely to receive appropriate preventive health screenings -- for lead poisoning, anemia and tuberculosis -- by age two.

ASGE offers guidelines on endoscopic treatment of dyspepsia
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has issued guidelines for the role of endoscopy in treating dyspepsia, discomfort thought to arise from the upper-gastrointestinal tract, which affects a fourth of the population in Western countries.

Minority patients prefer optical colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening
The clinical importance of colorectal cancer screening is well established, however the majority of eligible people do not undergo screening tests.

New studies on goat milk show it is more beneficial to health than cow milk
Research carried out at the Department of Physiology of the University of Granada has revealed that goat milk has more beneficial properties to health than cow milk. Among these properties it helps to prevent ferropenic anaemia (iron deficiency) and bone demineralisation (softening of the bones).
More Iron Deficiency Current Events and Iron Deficiency News Articles


Recipes for Health: Anaemia : Over 100 Recipes for Overcoming Iron-Deficiency (Recipes for Health)
by Jill Davies

This unique cookbook provides everything you need to know about anaemia, it's causes and it's...



Anemia in Women: Self-Help and Treatment
by Joan Gomez

Many women are unaware that they have anemia. Its symptoms — fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, headaches, and poor concentration — are often attributed to stress rather than iron deficiency. Using case studies, Joan Gomez discusses the prevention and treatment of anemia during childhood, adolescence, and...

Iron deficiency in plants: How to control it in yards and gardens (Home and garden bulletin)
by L. F Locke

Effect of omeprazole on oral iron replacement in patients with iron deficiency anemia.(Case Report): An article from: Southern Medical Journal
by Vivek R. Sharma, Mark A. Brannon, Elizabeth A. Carloss

This digital document is an article from Southern Medical Journal, published by Southern Medical Association on September 1, 2004. The length of the article is 2117 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web...



Iron Deficiency Anemia - A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References
by ICON Health Publications

In March 2001, the National Institutes of Health issued the following warning: "The number of Web sites offering health-related resources grows every day. Many sites provide valuable information, while others may have information that is unreliable or misleading." Furthermore, because of the rapid increase in Internet-based information, many hours can be wasted searching, selecting, and...

Iron Deficiency and Iron Overload.
by SHEILA T. (ed.) CALLENDER

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine: Iron deficiency anemia
by Tom Brody PhD

The article is excerpted from Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Consult the second edition of this authoritative, comprehensive, in-depth medical guide for information on more than 1,700 medical topics in language accessible to adult laypersons. Presented in a single alphabetical sequence, articles range in length from one or two paragraphs for minor topics, to several pages or more for major...

Iron deficiency still goes unnoticed in toddlers.(Guest Editorial): An article from: Pediatric News
by Alvin N. Eden

This digital document is an article from Pediatric News, published by International Medical News Group on September 1, 2004. The length of the article is 728 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation...

Diagnosing and treating anemia and iron deficiency in hemodialysis patients. (Educational Supplement).(Statistical Data Included): An article from: Nephrology Nursing Journal
by Jamie P. Foret

This digital document is an article from Nephrology Nursing Journal, published by Jannetti Publications, Inc. on June 1, 2002. The length of the article is 4572 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.From the...

Iron Deficiency and Overload: From Basic Biology to Clinical Medicine (Nutrition and Health)

© 2008 BrightSurf.com