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Iron deficiency in Europe.
S Hercberg1, P Preziosi, P Galan
1Unité de Surveillance et d'Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle, InVS/Institut Scientifique et Technique de la Nutrition et de l'Alimentation, CNAM, Paris, France. hercberg@vcnam.cnam.fr
Public Health Nutrition
|October 31, 2001
Summary
Iron deficiency is a major public health concern in Europe, especially for women and children. Prevention strategies include dietary counseling, iron supplementation, and risk screening to improve iron nutrition and overall health.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Iron deficiency is a significant nutritional disorder in Europe, impacting children, menstruating women, and pregnant women.
- Factors like contraception, blood donation, and specific diets (vegetarian, vegan, low-energy) increase iron deficiency risk.
- While low iron stores don't show adverse effects, they indicate borderline iron nutrition, risking reduced functional compounds like hemoglobin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence and prevention strategies for iron deficiency in Europe.
- To assess the current evidence regarding iron status and its link to cardiovascular disease and cancer.
- To provide recommendations for public health interventions and dietary practices.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of existing data on iron deficiency prevalence in European populations.
- Examination of factors influencing iron needs and absorption.
- Evaluation of evidence linking iron status to chronic diseases.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia has slightly decreased in infants and menstruating women.
- Positive trends attributed to iron-fortified foods, oral contraceptives, and prenatal iron supplements.
- Current evidence linking iron status to cardiovascular disease or cancer is inconclusive.
Conclusions:
- Iron deficiency can be prevented and controlled through counseling, risk screening, and supplementation.
- Dietary recommendations should focus on enhancing iron absorption and reducing inhibitors.
- More research is needed on the iron status-CVD/cancer link, but current data do not support major changes in food fortification or medical practice.
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