Iron deficiency and dietary factors in Finland

In connection with a multiphasic screening program carried out in Finland, over 7,000 persons participated in a dietary survey. The method was a diet history interview concerning food consumption and habits during the previous year. The mean intake of meat products was lower in anemic women (Hb less than 12.0 g/100 ml or PCV less than 36 vol%) than in the others and in the intake of liquid milk products was higher in the anemic women. The meat product intake was lower in anemic men (Hb less than 13.0 g/100 ml or PCV less than 41 vol %) than in other men, but the milk consumption of the groups was almost equal. The intake of meat products in iron-deficient women )serum iron less than 50 mu g/100 ml or TIBC larger than or equal to 400 mu g/100 ml) was lower and the intake of milk products higher than in the other women. The intake of meat products in iron-deficient men (serum iron less than 50 mu g/100 ml or TIBC larger than or equal to 400 mu g/100 ml) was lower than in the other men and the milk consumption was almost equal. The results support earlier studies that dietary habits are significant in the etiology of iron deficiency. In the light of this population study the intake of vitamin C also seems to influence iron metabolism.