Assessment of Iron Status and Its Relation to Diet and Lifestyle among Adolescents in the Gaza-Palestine

Abstract

Aims: Iron deficiency (ID) especially among adolescents still considered a major challenge for health and nutrition sectors of governmental and non-governmental institutes in the Gaza strip. The present study aimed to assess iron nutritional status and its relation to adolescents’ dietary habits and life style in the Gaza Strip. Study Design: A cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Gaza Strip, Palestine, between March 2009 and May 2009. Methodology: A total of 276 adolescents aged 12-15 years of 7th, 8th and 9th grades were selected randomly. Besides the recording of anthropometric measurements, a questionnaire for collecting information on dietary habits and physical activities was used. Hemoglobin was measured as a general biomarker of general-micronutrient status. Serum iron was also assessed Results: The frequency of iron deficiency (ID) was 23.6%. ID was more prevalent among females (31.4%) than males (15.9%). The overall anemia between both genders was 34.5%. The frequency of high body mass index was 29%. About 49% of females live in sedentary life style. A statistically significant difference was found between serum iron vs. animal foods consumption and low active adolescents. Conclusion: Adolescents were suffered from overweight, obesity and stunting. ID is prevalent among adolescents in Gaza Strip. Serum iron was affected by consumption of animal foods and associated with the lifestyle of adolescents.