Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
Published on: May 10, 2022
Secular trends in the prevalence of iron deficiency among US toddlers, 1976-2002
Jane M Brotanek1, Jacqueline Gosz, Michael Weitzman
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390-9063, USA. jane.brotanek@utsouthwestern.edu
Insights
Iron deficiency remains a concern for US toddlers, with no overall change in prevalence from 1976 to 2002. High-risk groups like Hispanic, younger, and overweight children show elevated rates, necessitating targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health Trends
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Iron deficiency is a significant public health issue in early childhood.
- Monitoring secular trends is crucial for understanding population-level nutritional status.
- Identifying at-risk groups is essential for effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze changes in iron deficiency prevalence among US children aged 1 to 3 years over a 26-year period.
- To identify demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with iron deficiency in toddlers.
- To assess the persistence of racial/ethnic disparities in iron deficiency.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II-IV) spanning 1976 to 2002.
- Inclusion of US children aged 1 to 3 years in the study cohort.
- Statistical methods for secular trend analysis and multivariable logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Overall iron deficiency prevalence in US toddlers did not change between 1976 and 2002.
- Prevalence remained stable in Hispanic and white toddlers but decreased in black toddlers.
- Higher prevalence was observed in Hispanic, younger, overweight, and children from poor households.
Conclusions:
- Despite some improvements in specific subgroups, overall iron deficiency in US toddlers remains a concern.
- Persistent disparities exist, particularly affecting Hispanic, younger, and overweight children.
- Targeted public health efforts are needed to address iron deficiency in high-risk toddler populations.
Objective:
To examine secular trends in iron deficiency among US children 1 to 3 years old.
Design:
Secular trend analyses of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey II-IV.
Setting:
Large-scale national survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics from 1976 to 2002.
Participants:
US children 1 to 3 years old. Outcome Measure Prevalence of iron deficiency.
Results:
Between 1976 and 2002, there was no change in iron deficiency prevalence in US toddlers. Iron deficiency prevalence remained unchanged in Hispanic and white toddlers but decreased among black toddlers. Across all 3 survey waves, racial/ethnic disparities in iron deficiency persisted between Hispanic and white toddlers, with a disparity ratio of at least 2. Iron deficiency prevalence remained high (20%-24%) in overweight toddlers, significantly higher than in those at risk for overweight (11%) and in normal weight or underweight toddlers (8%). Iron deficiency prevalence decreased from 22% to 9% in toddlers in poor households but remained unchanged in toddlers in nonpoor households (7%). In multivariable analyses, Hispanic, younger, and overweight toddlers had higher odds of iron deficiency.
Conclusions:
Despite the decline in iron deficiency prevalence among 1-year-old, black, and poor children, iron deficiency prevalence in US toddlers overall has not changed in the last 26 years and remains elevated in certain high-risk groups: Hispanic, younger, and overweight toddlers. Efforts to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency in infancy and early childhood are urgently needed and should target high-risk groups.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
01:30Development of Human Microbiota